Prayer in Community
Last week our Fellows gathered in the hospitality of a host home for a wonderful meal, time of connection, and meaningful conversation around the practice of prayer, or the way in which we communicate and commune with God. In the practice of prayer, we intentionally set aside time to be with God in order to know him, align our hearts and minds with his, and become a partner in his work in the world.
We left our conversation with the challenge to pause in prayer three times each day following this pattern:
Morning - we pray the Lord’s prayer
Midday - we pray for our neighbors and enemies
Evening - we offer gratitude to God for his goodness
It can be hard to pause in our hurried lives, but my commitment and practice to this rhythm is made easier and stronger when I am doing it in community with others. Willpower alone will not form us into the image of Christ - our formation is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit and in the context of a community of people who are committed to the same goal.
Community is vital for encouragement and accountability and also for seeing aspects of God that we miss in our own human limitations. The practice of praying in community changes and deepens our experience of God.
“C. S. Lewis argues that it takes a community of people to get to know an individual person. Reflecting on his own friendships, he observed that some aspects of one of his friend’s personality were brought out only through interaction with a second friend… If it takes a community to know an ordinary human being, how much more necessary would it be to get to know Jesus alongside others? By praying with friends, you will be able to hear and see facets of Jesus that you have not yet perceived.”
- Timothy Keller, Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
Our fellows will continue to pray together and we encourage you to regularly practice prayer with others if this isn’t already part of your rhythms. If you don’t know where to start, reach out! We’d love to share some prayer resources and help you connect to a community of prayer.
Is being part of an intentional community committed to following Jesus something that you are looking for? Learn more about the Good Neighbor Fellowship or reach out - we love to connect in person!
