Hello my dear friends! I pray that all is well with you today and that you are experiencing the joy of walking with the Shepherd of the Psalms. This week we are going to examine two of the core values of the discipled life: community and prayer. They are a great combination, as we will soon discover.
My prayer for us this week is that the Lord will show us, in a fresh way, the value of belonging to a group of people (community) that seeks to talk to the Lord (prayer) on a consistent basis.
May the Lord answer us in the day we call,
Denny
PS. Thanks to all of you who have ordered your copy of Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. If you would like to have a devotional book that also serves as a spiritual life journal as well as a unique 21 point Bible study and personal assessment on grace, my newest book is now available for purchase. For more information, follow this link to the Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace facebook page.
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Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #39
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: Save, O LORD; May the King answer us in the day we call. Psalm 20:9
Core Value: Community & Prayer
When is the last time you attended a prayer meeting where you sensed a special visitation from the Lord? You came to this meeting with a full heart—with an almost desperate expectation— that, unless God intervened, the burden would continue to crush your soul. And then, during the course of the meeting, joy invaded your heart and peace flooded your soul. God had met with you and your group. In biblical community, there is a comfort provided where you can draw upon others for strength. Together, the group can call out to the Lord and appeal to Him for His help. Yes, there are certain times when we need solitude and must enter the prayer closet alone. But there are also times when we are called to pray and do life together with other believers. We all need to belong to a community.
Bill Hull does a good job of explaining the benefit for community when he writes,
“Character is shaped in community.” Pg. 96
“I have come to believe that the primary and exclusive work of the church is spiritual transformation. That is about a change in which our character is being transformed into the image of Christ. And that character is formed in community, not in isolation. It is formed in the friction of living with others in covenant and then being tested in isolation. We lead out of our character even more than our skills.” Pg. 129
“As the African proverb tells us, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Pg. 107 Bill Hull, Choose the Life
So, are you going fast . . . alone? Or have you decided to become a part of community and go far together?
Principle #39 & Personal Application: The quality disciple longs to experience the power of corporate prayer.
• There is supernatural power when a group of believers cry out for His great salvation
• There is supernatural power when a group of believers fully expect the King to answer us in the day we call
• There is supernatural power when a group of believers meet to pray together
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 (NASB95)
19 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." Matthew 18:19-20 (NASB95)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16 (NASB95)
And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 (NASB95)
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I pray with others, what is my expectation?
When I pray with others, has my experience been typically fulfilling or empty?
Who would I consider to be my “prayer partners”?
When is the last time I prayed with my prayer partners?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me be faithful in prayer; especially with other believers.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2010 All rights reserved.
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