Yeshua said “My House shall be called a House of Prayer” Matthew 21:13

When Bob and I met in 1989 our dates were mostly going to home or church prayer meetings. In those days there would be so many people that the house would be full and many had to sit on the floor. Someone would bring their guitar or their portable keyboard and we would start with praise and worship and enjoy true fellowship with the Lord. Because of the prayers at those meetings we saw the power of God manifested to save, heal and deliver. Lives were restored and wounded hearts healed in miraculous ways by the Holy Spirit manifesting Himself in power and demonstration among us.

Since those early days of our courtship and marriage we have seen a decline in people meeting for prayer. Bob was invited for a men’s prayer meeting before work and sometimes only he and the sponsoring Pastor showed up to pray. Finally they quit meeting due to a lack of interest.

John Wesley said, "It seems God is limited by our prayer life – that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him."

Presently, prayer meetings are the least attended meetings in the American Church and that is if you can find someone having one. Is it any wonder we are weak and feeble church having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof? (2 Timothy 3:5)

We seem to think that prayer is only for those who are called to be “ intercessors” and the rest of us do not have to pray. Is that what the scriptures teach? Let us turn to the scripture for answers.

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:14)

rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer (Romans 12:12)

And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. (2 Cor.1:10-11)

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. ( Ephs. 6: 18-19 )

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Phil. 4:6)
We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you… For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you Col.1:3,9)
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart; (Col. 4:2)

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thess. 5: 17)

Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. (1 Tim 8)

These scriptures clearly show us that the exhortation to pray is for ALL believers not just a select few. The early church was a praying church. They had great power with God.

In the book of Acts, when they gathered to pray about their situation and were all in one
accord, the whole place shook and God immediately answered their prayer. The prayer of agreement is a powerful prayer.

...they lifted their voices to God with one accord....And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23, 31)

We are to imitate our master, Yeshua. How often did He pray? We see time and again where Yeshua would pray all night or draw aside alone to pray. The disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Yeshua is our example. If He had to pray then we have to pray.

Prayer is not something reserved for just a few or a special calling. All Believers are to pray.
I think it is a deception of the evil one that makes us think only a chosen few are to pray.
It weakens the Body of Messiah when needed members are missing.

Evil rises when good men do nothing. Perhaps if all the believers had been praying then the evil we have seen coming up in this nation in the last few years would have been restrained.

Let us first pray for our nation, and for our President …that he will be protected and fulfill his term of office and do that for which God raised him up to do. Pray for our congress, that they will bend to the will of the Lord.

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties, prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (1 Tim 1-2)

Let us become a people who will pursue holy lives of prayer and walk in love. Let us serve the Lord with joy and gladness and be about the work of the Kingdom of Elohim.