Command 35 : Be a House of Prayer | Day 245

Prepare for Powerful Prayer!

There was excitement in the air as the congregation stood to pray. They were not just performing some worship routine but were getting ready to fervently pray to God about some "impossible" situations. They understood their authority in Christ and had witnessed supernatural results from their crying out to God in the past. This time of powerful prayer did not "just happen." It was the result of wise Biblical preparation.

Powerful prayer springs from pure hearts and strong faith that comes by the teaching of God's Word.

The church that is described above begins its service with the teaching of God's Word, because faith and cleansing come by the Word of God. (See Romans 10:17 and John 15:3, 17:17.) After the message, several individuals share testimonies that confirm the truth that has just been taught. This follows the Biblical principle that “... in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established [confirmed]" (II Corinthians 13:1).

Following the time of cleansing and faith-building through the Word and testimonies, the congregation comes forward to receive the bread and the cup for communion. Before partaking, each family gathers together to make sure that all conflicts between one other as well as those with people outside the family have been resolved. This rich time of fellowship is followed by singing, which is what Jesus and the disciples did following the Last Supper. (See Matthew 26:30.)

It is after these preparations of the heart and life that the powerful results of fervent prayer are experienced. With great joy and authority the congregation cries out in unison as the pastor leads them phrase by phrase: "O God, Abba Father, we bring before You the needs of __. Bring deliverance according to Your Word and we will glorify You. For it is Your kingdom, and Your power, and Your glory forever and ever, Amen."

We prepare for powerful prayer by being cleansed from the filthiness of the flesh by the water of God's Word.

We see a similar pattern followed by the early Church after the Day of Pentecost. “They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). When these believers fervently prayed, “... the place was shaken where they were assembled together ...” (Acts 4:31).

Believers in the second century followed this same format in their church services.¹ They prepared their hearts to worship God by cleansing their lives of sin through the washing of the Word and confession prior to communion. Then, they were able to pray in faith.

Today, whenever believers meet together as a group, they can follow the example of the early Church by starting with a message from the Word of God, which brings cleansing, and then praying in faith, expecting to see mighty results.

In our journals this week, let's list the things in our lives that we know are displeasing to the Lord and the steps we are taking to remove them. Let's ask God to thoroughly cleanse us of sin so that our hearts are prepared to seek Him in fervent prayer.

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1. Read a detailed account of church services in the second century as recorded by Justin Martyr.