How can praying be even better than a chat at the coffee shop? Well, have you ever heard the term One Accord Prayer? There are so many ways to pray and many types of prayer groups. One of my favorite ways to pray is praying in "One Accord" or in “conversational language.” Moms In Touch groups pray this way!
Conversational language you say?
Think about times you have been a part of a conversation. Let's say Pam, Sally and Julie are meeting up for coffee on a cloudy day. In conversation we become more aware of the other person. Sally says the weather got stormy yesterday and they had to postpone the soccer game. Would it seem quite strange if Pam and Julie were off in their own thoughts and didn't acknowledge that Sally was attempting to engage in conversation? If they were at the coffee shop alone it would make perfect since to be caught up in their own thoughts, but with two friends present their awareness would naturally be beyond themselves. Good conversation implies that we take turns. Julie then agrees with Sally and says that she heard all of the games were postponed for a full half hour. Pam then recalls how the soccer game her child was in got canceled all together. If only one person talks, it's a monologue. Also, in a good conversation, everyone stays on the same subject. This is not to say that the three ladies would spend their entire coffee time talking about soccer and the weather. But the three of them would naturally stay on subject for a little bit before one of them introduces a new subject. At the end of their time together they would most likely leave feeing like they had nice conversations with good friends. And nice conversations can warm up the hearts of friends on a cloudy day!
What is one accord prayer?
Think of the benefits of a coffee shop chat plus more! One accord prayer is Spirit-directed prayer where one subject is prayed for at a time. It is brief, honest and to the point while the group speaks in conversational language. Prayer should only be a few sentences because conversation is letting someone else have a chance. It is not necessary to pray in order around a circle. Just like Pam, Sally and Julie were aware of each other at the coffee shop and naturally took turns responding about the soccer games, conversational prayer takes on the same flow. If a mom starts to pray on a particular subject, the other moms are keenly aware of her request, they hear her heart and then when she is finished they can feel free to pray on that subject as well. Now I know that when ladies get chatty in a coffee shop all sorts of subjects can arise. One accord prayer has the benefits of chatting in a coffee shop but MORE meaningful because it is spirit led. After a subject is exhausted, the Holy Spirit will lead another mom to pray a new subject. Therefor the focus is on God and not on the approval of others.
Why pray together?
Well first, why did Pam, Sally and Julie meet up for coffee? We are not created to be lone rangers and we all have a deep desire to be connected. Prayer connects us to each other and to God. God promises He will be present. Matthew 18:22, "For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them." When we pray together burdens shared become lighter. Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." When there is agreement in what is asked, no room is left for doubt or wavering. Matthew 18:19, "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." That does not mean that all our kids will ace every test because we ask. It means when our hearts are connected with a common goal and in line with God's will, His power is released to work in the lives of our children. As we pray with other moms, trust develops and we become more transparent in our prayers. Meeting together will build each other up in faith. I Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing." We become bolder in our requests. Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Pam, Sally and Julie left their coffee chat feeing like they had nice conversations with good friends. The best part about praying together is that you leave knowing that you had meaningful and fulfilling conversations that warms our spirits with good friends and more importantly with a mighty God!
Tim Sheet writes in Armed and Battle Ready:
"Being in unity and in one accord will produce an army strong like cord: an army that cannot be broken, nor divided in its determination to beat the devil. That same unity will produce a wall that stops the work of the devil."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-19 sums it up like this:
"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."
Do you have a group of peeps that will join you in One Accord Prayer? Send them this link and who knows, maybe your next prayer gathering will be better than a chat at the coffee shop!
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