There are many problems in our church that can only be solved by prayer. We will be holding a special 10-day prayer meeting from August 24 to September 3. We have had 10-day prayer meetings several times before but this time will be different. We’re calling this a “Three Strand Prayer” meeting. The term was coined by Rev. J.C. Lee of the Open Door Church in Seoul. It comes from Ecclesiastes 4:12: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Before the prayer session begins, church members should find two other people to form a prayer team of three. Team members should be of the same gender, and should not include members of the same house church. Also, shepherds and their spouses should not form teams with other shepherds or their spouses. With these restrictions, church members are free to choose any prayer partners they want. New believers might want to team with older Christians to learn how to pray. Long-term followers of Christ might want to partner with younger ones to help them out. Shepherds might team with someone who can be a good mentor to his house church members. Teams should be formed before the first prayer meeting begins. Those who come to the first meeting without partners will be grouped into teams there.
The prayer meetings will begin at 5:30 AM as usual. After the pastor’s message, the prayer teams will get together and pray for each other for 10 minutes. Afterwards, each person will pray individually. During the 10-day period, prayer partners should call each other at least once a day. They may check whether their prayers have been answered, whether their partners need a ride or any other assistance, or they may just call to say hello. Everyone is required to pray for his or her partners for 10 minutes before going to bed.
This kind of focused prayer cannot be but answered. Jesus said, “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. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. (Matt 18:19-20)” Pray over only one request with your prayer partners. If it is answered, then they may choose another one. In addition to answered prayer, I expect a lot of good things to come out of the three strand prayer meetings. Members will make friends with people outside their house churches. New believers may learn how to pray from mature believers. And some may build a habit of praying for 10 minutes before they go to bed.
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