On Sunday, we jumped back into our “Foundations” series with a message from Act 1:14; 2:42; 4:23-31 titled “Devoted to Prayer”. Check it out here.

In stepping through a few of the highlights of the way the Lord has blessed churches who have regularly gathered together for prayer, I shared this quote from Charles Spurgeon speaking at a prayer meeting:

How could we expect a blessing if we were too idle to ask for it? How could we look for a Pentecost if we never met with one accord, in one place, to wait upon the Lord? Brethren, we shall never see much change for the better in our churches in general till the prayer-meeting occupies a higher place in the esteem of Christians. (from “Only a Prayer Meeting”)

Lord willing, on Sunday, March 6th, from 4:30-5:30 pm, we will gather for the first of our weekly “Sunday Evening Gatherings”. As I described on Sunday, these weekly gatherings will be ordered as follows:

• ~5 minutes:      Singing
• 10-20 minutes: Sharing
• I will call on people (who I’ve already spoken with in advance) to briefly share about an outreach or discipleship activity with which they’re involved, whether on their own or in association with a committee of the church. Before they share, someone else will volunteer to pray for what is shared during the next portion of the meeting.
• 15-20 minutes: Praying
• Those who have volunteered to pray for a matter that was shared will take turns praying brief, 1–2 minute prayers.
• 10-20 minutes: Teaching
• This may be a brief devotional on some passage of Scripture, further teaching on the sermon text, teaching on a topic that needs to be addressed but which doesn’t work very well in a sermon, or training and discussion on a topic like personal evangelism and discipleship.
• ~5 minutes:      Singing

Please plan to attend and be praying for the Lord’s blessing upon these weekly gatherings!

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Evan

Related follow-up article: "Season of Prayer"