The Power of Prayer

In recent days, I've been a witness to the power of prayer.  This was not a first time experience mind you, but it has been especially poignant in the last few days.

Last night in the course of an hour, eight people from St. Luke's gathered in fellowship beginning with a short prayer and formed the new Contemplative Prayer Group (CPG).  There was a synergy in the group as we gathered in the name of Christ, seeking the Father's will and receiving power from the Holy Spirit.  We agreed on a method and meeting details, discussed our ministry in the parish and closed with a short time of contemplative prayer.  As the people straighted up, gathered up their belongings and exited the building; all in silence, the power of the Holy Spirit was palpable in that space.  That abiding presence of God and the power of God's presence went home with each person and is influencing their thoughts and actions today.

During my weekly check-in with one of my "moms", we often request prayers of each other for various people.  Our conversation often becomes a time of giving testimony of how God has answered prayer.  This week, there were testimonies of one woman being cancer free and of a man who was spared serious complications after a stroke.  There was a spontaneous prayer of praise and thanksgiving when I shouted out a "Praise the Lord!"

Lest we ever think we pray alone, let us be reminded that all prayer is communal in nature.  Yes, the prayers of the church rise up from gatherings of two or more and from individuals, but we are not individuals that exist  outside of community.  As followers of Christ, we are members of his body seen concretely in the world through the Church.  We struggle mightily to be of one mind in Christ, so that our prayers are united in purpose, but we sometimes fail.  God will answer prayer in a way that accords with God's will.  Over time, God's answer to our prayers directs us in the way we should go and brings us to the truth which sets us free and unites us in mind and spirit.  I am especially fond of two of the concluding collects for the Prayers of the People:

Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son:  Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask:  Help us to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.