This is a 12 part summer blog series on Authentic Community. I hope you will read along and make some comments. Two books that I would recommend are: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Making Room for Life by Randy Frazee.
An Aspen grove is one of the largest living organisms. They grow in large colonies which are interconnected by a massive root system. Though individual trees only have a life-span of 40-150 years the root system is long-lived. No individual part of an Aspen colony is alive for long apart from the larger colony.
How Important is Prayer to Community?
I think we all can agree that prayer is critical and central to building authentic Christian community. Jesus said clearly that His house was to be a “house of prayer.” A church community that is a praying community is a church community that is alive with the presence of God and growing. A church that is not a praying church is a powerless dying church. Now, when we say a praying church we are not talking about a church that just prays ritualistically, but one that prays alongside the Word of God, in the Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ name.
I have been meditating lately on John 15:7, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” What a massive promise. It is a conditional promise. If we abide in ongoing fellowship with our Lord Jesus and if His word settles in our heart, we have open access to the inheritance from our heavenly Father. Now, what if we couple that promise with the corporate promise found in Matthew 18:19-20, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Can you imagine what would happen to and through a church when it gathered for corporate worship and prayer if the members each were going after these promises? Nothing is more unifying, strengthening and impactful than when the church prays together.
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