Alone with Christ a Far Better Way

Never allow others to frustrate you with pressure to attend prayer meetings.

There is no scriptural mandate for a "church prayer group." It can be a good thing, but many people who love Christ feel more comfortable alone in their closet with Him.

Pressuring others to attend a meeting may be against God's will. I can say more clearly and openly what I wish to express to God when I am alone, and I can hear from Him better without distractions.

There is no indication in Scripture that God hears us better when others are present than when we are alone. More people in the room do not have more influence over God than when one person prays alone. We are not seeking to manipulate God in our prayers, we are seeking His will and strength to carry out His will.

Often, what the group wants is not God's will; it's just their idea of what they want.

In public meetings, there are expectations and rules that God never made, causing a sense of conformity for the people in attendance, hindering our prayers.

In a public meeting, we are expected to agree with anyone praying out loud, but what if we do not agree with what we hear?

Romans 8:26 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words."

Matthew 6:5-7 " 5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly, I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard."

None of the following passages speaks of going to a group.

Luke 18:1 "Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:"

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."

Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,"

Daniel 6:10 "Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before."

Isaiah 26:20 "Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed."

There is more evidence for praying alone, spending time with God, than there is for corporate prayer.

May we allow ourselves to resist the pressures of the culture to obey God. If God tells us to attend that prayer meeting, then go, but if He is not compelling us to attend, feel free to be alone with God.