Pre-Service Prayer in Apostolic Churches?

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

What if someone prayed 2 hours before service for an hour then came to church when it started? Would the church meeting be less "powerful"?

Yes, the meeting would be less powerful. In order for the service to be "powerful" everyone must actually see you praying. Prayer has no effect unless other people see and hear you praying.

This is why the hanky was invented; to draw the attention of an observer to the fact that you are praying more fervently than they are.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Rico

I've seen pre-service prayer meeting turn into a chest beating contest among men entirely too many times. Brother So and So gets a little loud and then Brother Whathisface decides to pray louder. Soon it turns into a shouting match and everyone walks away feeling like they've "touched God". Yeah right! No thanks! I tried the prayer rooms and found that praying at my pew was much better. I don't come to church to compete with anyone on getting in touch with the Lord.

Maybe the other brother is just praying louder because he can't hear himself pray over the other brother that is screaming his prayers out. I love prayer meetings but I don't like it when there is one person so loud it's hard to think

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Rico,

I think I will have to agree with Old Paths on this one: I think we need to come into God's presence with thanks and praise, then repent and cleanse our hearts and minds, wash them through regeneration of the Spirit to allow us to usher in His holy presence and allow Him to have His way in the service.

Blessings, Rhoni

I think Rico's point is that we should have already done that, why wait until an hour before church starts?

And are we praying FOR the service or are we repenting? Repentance doesn't take an hour long pre-service prayer meeting

[TRFrance]

Its a great idea, but I don't think Pentecostal churches do that now as often as they used to do back in the old days.

[theoldpaths]

Originally Posted by Moe

TOP......I think something wonderful happens in a church body when members come together in one room, in one accord and pray. The power of God comes down like in no other setting. Show me someone that mocks or resist scheduled prayer and I'll show you someone that is not consistant in their prayer life. yes, we ALL pray going down the street, in a car at home on the job, etc. but IMHO it cannot replace what happens when we come together. If I had the time or the space and could tell you of things that has happened in prayer, in the prayer room, or at the church or at someones home or in our church prayer "Fire Houses", it would cause you to want to experience the Glory of God.

When we pray together and miracles happen....no one person gets the glory. God gets it. It is so easy to say "I" when we recount miracles.

How I wish more pastor's would insist on pre-service prayer. I do not think you can or should call it mandantory as it takes something away from us all when we are forced to do anything. But if any pastor or ministry would make each prayer meeting exciting and a place that entertains the Holy Ghost then you will NEVER have to make it mandantory. they will come. they will bring their neighbor (who would not usually step foot in your church) just to pray. The young people will once again get on fire for God. Miracles will happen. Marriages will be put back together. Alters will be filled. All because people prayed.

Of course I do not have to mention of all the biblical miracles that took place when "people" (plural) prayed. But then I have seen the miraculous with only 1 praying but for the most part "people" need each other to be and stay encouraged.

I started out as a young person praying every morning at the church at 5:00 a.m. before going to school along with my family and the rest of the church. This is what gave me my prayer foundation that kept me when my world crumbled. I thank God every day for meeting with me and for my pastor who encouraged us to pray by his example.

A hearty-amen!

There were "all with one accord and in one place".

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

A born again christian who loves God will have no problem wanting to spend time with God in prayer. When you genuinely and sincerely love someone, then you will want to spend time with them; and you won't have any problem reading their letters to you.

There was a time in my spiritual walk when I seemed to have a hard time reading the word of God, but I did something about it and was able to get back to reading the word of God every day and appreciating being able to do so.

God is so good and his word is like hidden treasure!

[Rico]

Originally Posted by theoldpaths

A hearty-amen!

There were "all with one accord and in one place".

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

A born again christian who loves God will have no problem wanting to spend time with God in prayer. When you genuinely and sincerely love someone, then you will want to spend time with them; and you won't have any problem reading their letters to you.

There was a time in my spiritual walk when I seemed to have a hard time reading the word of God, but I did something about it and was able to get back to reading the word of God every day and appreciating being able to do so.

God is so good and his word is like hidden treasure!

You are so right about reading the Word, Brother. I love reading my Bible. I get more out of that than just about anything else I do as part of this walk. I like prayer because I get to be honest with God about my thoughts and feelings. I like worship because I get to show Him how great I think He is. But I like reading His Word best because it shows me how it is God thinks.

[theoldpaths]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Honestly, I have a problem with the whole concept of a prayer room, unless it is for individuals only.
My experience has shown that they ALWAYS attract guys (or gals, but mainly guys) who are trying to outdo each other and appear to be the most spiritual one in the room.
And the whole thing is just too distracting.

Act 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Act 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

I would like to encourage you that praying together or as someone else posted on here - corporately - is definitely ok with God as we have the example above.

Just because someone else is praying louder or speaking in tongues more or weeping more or interceding more than everyone else doesn't necessarily mean they are trying to outdo everyone else. Perhaps that is how the Spirit is leading them. But if one is being a distraction to you, then perhaps move to another part of the room.

When I pray I try to give my attention to the Lord - its my time to spend with him and not worry about what everyone else is doing. There may be times when I run out of things to say or just want to be quiet in prayer, but I still try to give HIM my attention and not be easily distracted by others. When I'm done praying though and there is still time before the service starts, I may look around and observe others or look to see what visitors have shown up, etc. But I don't want to judge others by how they are praying or what they are doing. To their own master they will stand or fall. As long as I fulfill my responsibility, then I'm good.

Sometimes when I just start praying, I'll ask God to help me to get my mind and my attention upon him.

God bless.

[theoldpaths]

Originally Posted by Moe

Is is just me or has anyone noticed that more and more people war against any kind of rules. is it just a spirit of our day or what? examples, school kids, parents and kids against teacher rules. Church members against any rules, Nation against conservative rule, kids against parents rule, wives against husband rule (of any kind) worker against any corporate rule.

Not trying to stir the pot just seeing a very disturbing trend that is not letting up. Where will that leave my grandchildren. To me it just a strong foothold for the enemy. But then, who am I?

I've noticed that as well.

The bible does mention about those who despise government (mastery, that is, (concretely and collectively) rulers: - dominion, government) and are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

[theoldpaths]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

The necessity of pre-service prayer? Where in the bible does it show that? Teach the necessity of prayer? Sure, but you are talking about legislating something that the bible does not mention being mandatory....that is praying before a service...just before a service AT the church building grounds...not in the car..not at home...not earlier in the day.

I did teach a little about the OT example on page 3 of this thread.

[theoldpaths]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

We have intercessory prayer before our Main Sunday service. Not everyone comes but those who do touch the throne of God. I just love pre-service prayer.

Blessings, Rhoni

Amen - me too.