Perhaps you’ve heard the familiar quotation, “The family that prays together, stays together.” While there is no biblical statement along this line, we have both scriptural direction and example as to the importance of prayer in the assembly. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read, “These all continued with one accord in prayer” (1:14). At the birthday of the church, they were “all with one accord in one place” (2:1). After the first addition to the church of about 3,000, we read, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and to breaking of bread, and to prayer” (2:42). With the first hint of persecution, the apostles returned to “their own company” and reported what threats hung over their heads, and the church “lifted up their voice to God with one accord” (4:24).
It could hardly be questioned that the beginnings of the church were accompanied by much fellowship in prayer. Their united and earnest communion with the glorified Lord was a continual source of comfort and power. “When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness” (4:31).
When Peter was imprisoned, Luke records that “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (12:5). Many have assumed that the believers were praying for his deliverance, and by their response to his unexpected appearance at the door showed that they really didn’t believe that their prayers would be answered. Actually, it is very unlikely that what they had in mind as God’s will was his deliverance, and, therefore, were probably praying that, as James had been faithful to the end, so Peter would not eventually deny his Lord, as he had before. But God granted far above what they could ask or think.
Thus the church was born steeped in prayer—united, urgent, believing, effectual prayer. They met together. There is certainly adequate scriptural warrant for the assembly meeting together in one place at regular intervals for united, fervent prayer.
Later in the history of the early church, Paul wrote to his son in the faith, whom he had left to shepherd the assembly at Ephesus, to instruct him in how to order the affairs there until Paul himself could return. In the first chapter (1 Tim. 1), there is warning against false teaching and an account of Paul’s own calling. Then Paul launches into the first order of business: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made” (2:1). Paul is saying to Timothy that the first and most urgent order of business in the assembly is the matter of prayer. Qualifications of elders and deacons, matters of discipline, aspects of spiritual teaching, and practical ministry, such as to the widows, come after. But first of all, there should be the matter of prayer. It is not a suggestion; he does not even beseech; he says, “I exhort.”
In the assembly, prayer is the first thing on the agenda. It is not just the first item—sort of an invocation or tipping your hat to God—it’s a good way to conclude the meeting, too. However, Paul exhorts us first of all to make supplications. This is a form of prayer that involves earnest request from a real sense of need. Here is where the assembly activity starts, and this is the way it should be carried on. He goes on to mention “prayers,” that is to say, petitions or asking; “intercessions,” which is praying for the needs of others; and “thanksgiving,” the heartfelt expressing of appreciation for who God is and what He has done. These are not necessarily all that should make up assembly prayer, but they touch much of what should be involved in our corporate prayer life.
After a slight digression, Paul returns to his topic: “I will therefore that men pray” (v. 8). It is the primary responsibility of the men to lead the assembly in prayer. Note that Paul does not say that just the elders or deacons should lead in prayer—it is men, all the men. Paul mentions women who pray (1 Cor. 11:5), and how we thank the Lord for the fervent, faithful prayers of the sisters! But in the assembly, it is the duty of the men to lead in prayer, acting as representatives (image, eikon, v. 7) before God.
Praying out loud and on behalf of the church is work, and the men should take up the labor. And there should be no shirking, letting someone else bear the burden. When we come to prayer meeting, we should come prepared to shoulder the load. To come to prayer meeting and not be prepared to lead in prayer is to punch the time clock with no intention of going to work.
Paul says, “I will therefore that men pray everywhere.” The old Jews thought that the temple or the synagogue was the only fit place to pray. Whenever and wherever the Christians gather, the men should pray. When there is a visitation, a Bible study, or a work day, men should pray. When there is a conference, a missionary meeting, or a planning session, men should pray.
“Lifting up holy hands” demonstrates lives that are pure and undefiled in the daily tasks. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?…He that hath clean hands and a pure heart” (Ps. 24:3-4).
“Without wrath” tells us that there is no place in assembly prayer to call on God to strike down, judge, or correct men with whom we have a quarrel or who wrong us. Love should motivate our prayers, as all our other thoughts and actions.
Men should pray without “doubting.” James tells us about the “prayer of faith” (Jas. 5:15). He also says, “Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” To those that do have doubts as to God’s faithfulness and willingness to help, he says, “Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord” (Jas. 1:7).
The early church was devoted to prayer (Acts 2:42; Rom. 12:12; etc.). This is clearly modeled in the book of Acts and explained in the epistles. May this commitment to biblical assembly prayer be the pattern of our churches today.