Reflection on group prayer

Prayer

The Bible includes a plethora of passages about prayer in general. Prayer is an act of communing with God, and can be done either alone or in groups. Group prayer may have advantages over its solitary counterpart. For example, in Matthew 18:19, Jesus implies that group prayer is necessarily more powerful than solitary prayer: "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." The most significant Biblical passage related to group prayer is the following one in Matthew 18:20, when Jesus says, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

The Gospels contain several references to worshippers gathered together in prayer, such as in Luke 1:10, and Acts 1:13-14, and Acts 12:12. In Acts 1:13-14, the Apostles are gathered together as if in a show of solidarity: "Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." In addition to instances in which worshippers gathered together in His name, there are also references to priests in the Old Testament who encouraged the group to pray together. For instance, King Solomon dedicates the Temple to God in front of a large congregation in 2 Chronicles 6:12.

Thus, prayer certainly has a collective component. Group prayer is certainly not the only means by which people pray, and in fact, the Bible suggests that solitary prayer is necessary. In Matthew 6:6 we read, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Still, prayer in groups has an added dimension of spiritual and social solidarity.

Religious organizations like the Quakers have extolled the virtue of group prayer. In my experience with Christian group prayer, I have noticed that the practice serves several functions, including the increase in prayer power as alluded to in Matthew 18:19-20. Group prayer can help the individual focus on the prayer and on God rather than having the mind wander to selfish thoughts. I felt much more focused when praying in the group than I usually do on my own. My inner thoughts are private, but I am focused on the Biblical passage or concept being invoked for the purposes of the prayer. Therefore, group prayer can be helpful to beginners because it helps us to figure out how to pray and what to focus on while praying. I would not have known about the various Bible passages or prayers used had I not attended the group prayer sessions.

Another function of group prayer is similar to that of a workout buddy, in that other people are motivating and encouraging. We are accountable to the others in the room, and they encourage us to leave the house to go to Church in case our spiritual practice has lapsed. On more than one occasion, I looked forward to attending the group prayer sessions because of the social aspect.