The first installment of this series is here.

Attending Prayer Meeting Provides an Opportunity to Refocus Your Life. When you gather to hear the Word of the Lord you look straight into the mirror of his revelation (Jas 1:23-25). Take every such opportunity to look intently into that mirror and see what it says. Do you remember the scriptural instruction and encouragement you received Sunday? Meeting again to hear the Word enables you to recall that and learn more.

Earnestly praying with other believers should have a sanctifying effect because you are drawing near to God with other believers. The mutual prayers of Christians should be characterized by intently pleading with God for mercy and grace. When a prayer meeting has that kind of character, you will be encouraged to lay aside every encumbrance and entangling sin and refocus your life on Jesus.

God uses the Word, prayer, and the lives of the saints to teach believers how to live lives that please the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 4:12;  Phil 3:17). Think of prayer meeting as an opportunity to refill a woodstove—meeting with other believers on Wednesday “stokes up” more energy for the balance of the week. You need the exhortation, example, and encouragement of each other!

Attending Prayer Meeting is an Important Means of Obeying the Lord. The New Testament clearly portrays the activity of Christians: they devoted themselves to prayer as a regular practice and during times of need (Acts 2:42; 4:23-32; 12:5). These passages do not mean that Christians were simultaneously devoted to praying in their closets! They met together to pray.

Regularly meeting together with other believers is just normal Christianity; anything short of that can lead to and promote forsaking the Lord (Heb 10:25). As some do habitually forsake assembling with other believers, it must be your habit to obey this command of the Lord.

“Going to church” does not produce or sustain salvation, but this necessary habitual activity is essential to your spiritual growth and protection. It is through your local church that you are equipped to serve resulting in the edification, maturity, protection, and growth of the body (Eph 4:11-16).

Do you feel that prayer meeting is boring? Well, does your absence help give it life?

Do you have other things going on in your life? Well, remember Jesus’ words—“seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt 6:33). “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3).

Do you not attend because you are intimidated by the thought of praying with others? Well, that is pride! You’re allowing pride to keep you from growing in the Lord and obeying him! Don’t think that the people you’re praying with are rating your prayer like Olympic judges! They are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray with them!