Faith & Insight: A community night of prayer

Last night churches in Carson City met together for a night of prayer. God was pleased when Christians from churches in Carson City came together to pray for our city. God was pleased when believers demonstrated unity as they prayed and cried out to God.

Jesus said in Luke 18:1, “They ought to pray and not lose heart.” It’s easy to lose heart when you look at all that’s going on around us. It’s easy to stop praying and not make any effort to pray with other Christians. When Jesus prayed, he would often pray alone but several times he took three of his followers and asked them to join in prayer together. Jesus encouraged believers to pray in small groups.

One of the last prayers Jesus prayed was in John 17. He prayed his disciples would be one. He prayed they would be unified. He wanted his followers to be unified just like he was unified with the Father. Unity is displayed through prayer.

Christians may have different beliefs on minor issues, they worship differently, but when they pray, they pray to the same God in the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. When God’s people come together to pray there’s unity.

When God’s people come together to pray God is pleased. Last night God was pleased. God was pleased when people from different churches came together in one venue. God was pleased when we sang together. God was pleased when pastors from different churches gave specific prayer requests for the people to pray.

In Ephesians 6, Paul told Christians to “keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” Last night there were Christians who were “keeping alert.” They were praying with perseverance for all the saints. Samuel said in 1 Samuel 12:23, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.”

Last night there were Christians together who were not sinning because they were praying for the requests pastors gave them. What would happen in Carson City if there was a regular movement of prayer in our churches? What would happen if churches not only sang together on Sundays but they prayed together? What would happen if churches and pastors would make the time and effort to come together regularly and pray?

Ben Fleming is the pastor of Silver Hills Community Church.