This week we begin a 9-week series entitled ’Praying Together’; this series is loosely based upon the book and course, ‘The Prayers of many’ by Mike Betts. During this series, we want to learn about the importance of corporate prayer.
‘He said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’ For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts. This is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord; He will also give the Moabites into your hand.”’ (2 Kings 3:16-18)
SUMMARY: Digging ditches is analogous to praying together. As we do what we can do (dig in prayer), God will do what only He can do (pour out His Spirit and bring life).
To watch this devotional please go to:
This is an amazing and inspiring account of God giving salvation and victory to His people. Although it is not about prayer, it can be used as an analogy to illustrate what happens when we pray together. We can see in their obedience, unity, and the hard work involved in digging ditches a reflection of what can happen if we unite and persevere in prayer together.
Prayer is doing what we can do in order to experience what only God can do. Just as they could dig, but only God could provide the water and victory, we can worship and make requests of God, but our hope for spiritual success is in Him.
The water that God provided is analogous to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The barren land that was in drought can be viewed as our unbelieving communities and nations who need the Spirit for life. We may be pessimistic about the impact we can have, thinking we can make very little difference against such opposition. But God would say to you and me, “Can you dig? Can you pray? I provide the water in the desert.” To God, 'this is but a slight thing'!
RESPONSE - Do what you can do and trust God to do what only He can do.
Let's remain steadfast in the challenging task of praying together, putting our faith in God to bring a powerful outpouring of His Spirit upon us and our communities.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. NOTICES
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Let's all get as involved as possible in our week of prayer this week. For details please look at Church News.
2. ICEBREAKER
What has God been speaking to you about from His Word this week?
3. STUDY AND PRAY TOGETHER
During this series, we will be using the 'Prayers of Many' course by Mike Betts.
I encourage you to buy a copy of the book from: https://prayersofmany.org/book#buybook
If you need assistance in buying a book please send an email to the church office and we will happily purchase you a copy.
Please download the course handbook from:
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