• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection Additional thoughts on corporate prayer

Additional thoughts on corporate prayer

Posted on October 30, 2015 Written by Mark McIntyre 1 Comment


Corporate PrayerThis morning, I started reading The Assurance of Salvation by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, which is an exposition of John 17, and ran across this paragraph:

“. . . I would argue that our Lord would never have uttered this prayer audibly unless he had intended that we should hear it and that we should be able to study it and, above all, that w should be able to grasp its teaching. He did not merely pray to God, he prayed audibly to God, and the disciples heard him. Thus the prayer was preserved, and it seems to me that in this we have a wonderful illustration of the kindness of our Lord in allowing his disciples to hear this prayer and in arranging that it should be recorded in this way.”

Earlier this week, I wrote about pitfalls in praying which broached the topic of corporate prayer. Having this in mind, what struck me about Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ comment is his emphasis on Jesus praying audibly. He prayed aloud and in the presence of his disciples.

If (since) we are comforted by hearing Jesus pray, it stands to reason that we can also be comforted and a comfort to others through praying together (Tweet this).

It is refreshing to know that someone is praying for you. It is more refreshing to hear him doing it. It is also encouraging to be in agreement with another through prayer. To know that another has the same concern and is also seeking God for intervention is helpful.

Even in giving thanks, hearing what someone else is thankful for is helpful. The expressed gratitude of others challenges my own self focus and ingratitude.

So while there are pitfalls in praying in a corporate setting, it is something that still should be done. The rewards are much greater than the risks.


Filed Under: Bible Reflection

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

Preaching

Tim Keller on Christian Preaching

Christians are either engaged in preaching or will regularly hear preaching in their churches. While the following paragraphs are written with the intent of challenging preachers, those of us who listen to preaching can also be encouraged by them.

Cowardice masquerading as Grace

I have recently begun to understand that there have been times in my life when I pretended that I was displaying grace, but it was not grace. It was cowardice masquerading as grace. There are times when the lone, contrary voice needed to be heard and mine was silent. There are times when it would […]

Social Justice

Social justice and the church

I find that writing is the best way for me to work toward clarification on an issue. So in this post I will share some thoughts, admittedly incomplete thoughts, on the relationship of the church to the need for social justice in our society. The Bible has a lot to say about social justice. Even […]

Merry Go Round

Getting off the merry-go-round

I am forced to admit that I made the chains binding me to the merry-go-round. They are of my own manufacture. But they no longer need to bind me.

Peace sign

Whence the lack of peace?

Peace is the one thing that is lacking in many churches today. Perhaps it is because it is one thing that is lacking in many believers today. Or, perhaps, I am projecting this on others because of a lack of peace in my own life.

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
April 2023
SMTWTFS
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30 
« Feb    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in