Deepening Spiritual Connection Through Intentional Group Prayer

Es de vital importancia que cada reunión de adoración esté rodeada de oración, pues la vida del alma depende de la comunión habitual con DiosGW92 426.1. Toda reunión pública debe ser una oportunidad para buscar el consejo y la instrucción del Señor, quien ciertamente oye y responde a sus obrerosPr 34.1. El éxito de estos encuentros depende de que los asistentes crean que Jesús se reúne con ellos y está dispuesto a bendecirlos5T 201.1. Al cerrar las reuniones, es un privilegio y un deber arrodillarse ante el Señor, reconociendo nuestra dependencia y reverencia hacia el Creador3SM 269.5+1.

Para escuchar a Dios hablarte, es necesario buscar momentos de soledad y silencio absoluto donde cada otra voz sea acalladaDA 363.3. El silencio del alma hace más distinta la voz de Dios, quien nos ordena estar quietos para conocerle Sal 46:10,DA 363.3. La oración secreta es un intercambio solemne entre Dios y el individuo, donde el corazón se abre para recibir rayos divinos de luz y fuerza para resistir los conflictosARSH April 16, 1857, page 185.19+1. Se debe evitar elevar la voz a un tono fuerte en la oración privada para no perder la influencia sagrada de esa voz apacible y delicada que habla al almaPH098 12.1.

Para ir más allá de simplemente escuchar a otros, debemos cultivar una fe viva y ejercitarla activamente, sin esperar meramente a tener un sentimiento emocionalPr 181.2+1. Quien dirige la oración pública tiene la responsabilidad de hablar de manera clara, lenta y con un volumen adecuado para que todos los presentes puedan comprender y unir sus súplicas, permitiendo que la congregación diga "Amén" al final16LtMs, Ms 4, 1901, par. 29+1. La oración pública debe ser corta, directa al punto y libre de repeticiones tediosas o sermones dirigidos a Dios, para que el interés de los oyentes no disminuyaPr 215.2+1. Al involucrarnos con sencillez y confianza, la congregación se siente animada a creer que la presencia del Señor está en el lugar17LtMs, Ms 127, 1902, par. 17.

Involucrar a todos los miembros requiere un trato tierno y paciente, especialmente con los recién llegados a la feEv 351.1. Los miembros más experimentados deben idear medios para brindar simpatía e instrucción a los nuevos conversos, quienes son considerados "pequeñitos" en la vida cristianaKC 27.7+1. Existe una bendición especial en la asociación de jóvenes y ancianos, donde la vitalidad de los jóvenes se mezcla con la sabiduría y experiencia de los mayoresSpM 258.6. Al animar a todos a participar en las reuniones sociales con testimonios claros y oraciones sencillas, se evita que el servicio sea una mera forma sin poder vitalPr 200.2.

... fulfilled to us. We are undeserving of His mercy, but as we give ourselves to Him, He receives us. He will work for and through those who follow Him.—(The Ministry of Healing, 226, 227.) The Lord will certainly hear and answer the prayers of ...— Pr 34.1 (2002)

The life of the soul depends upon habitual communion with God. Its wants are made known, and the heart is open to receive fresh blessings. Gratitude flows from unfeigned lips; and the refreshing that is received from Jesus is manifested in words, in deeds of active benevolence, and in public devotion. There is love to Jesus in the heart; and where love exists, it will not be repressed, but will express itself. Secret prayer sustains the inner life. The heart that loves God will desire to commune with him, and will lean on him in holy confidence— GW92 426.1 (1892)

...e in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Here alone can true rest ...— DA 363.3 (1898)

... more and more of the interest and affections and there is less and less reserved to devote to God. It is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is not a special exercise of the mind. Family or public prayer alone is not sufficient. Secret prayer is very important, when in solitude the soul is laid bare to the inspecting eye of God, and every motive is scrutinized. Secret prayer! How precious! The soul communing with God. Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of such petition. In secret prayer, the soul is free from surrounding influence, free from excitement. Calmly, and yet fervently, will it reach out after God. Secret prayer is frequently perverted, and its sweet designs lost by loud vocal prayer. Instead of the calm, quiet trust and faith in God, the soul drawn out in low, humble tones, the voice is raised to a loud pitch, an excitement is encouraged, and secret prayer loses its softening, sacred influence. There is a storm of feeling, a storm of words, making it impossible to discern the still, small voice that speaks to the soul while engaged in its secret true, heart-felt devotion. Secret prayer, properly carried out, is productive of great good. But prayer thought to be secret, which is made public to the entire family and neighborhood, is not secret prayer from which divine strength is received. Sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from Him who seeth in secret, whose ear is open to answer the prayer arising from the heart. The soul holds communion with God, and gathers to itself, by calm, simple faith, divine rays of light to strengthen and sustain it to endure the conflicts of Satan. God is our tower of strength— PH098 12.1 (1868)

...blic prayer learn to pray in such a way that God will be glorified and the hearers will be blessed. Let them speak slowly and distinctly and in tones loud enough to be heard by all, so that the people may unite in saying, Amen— 16LtMs, Ms 4, 1901, par. 29

Church Patiently to Help New Converts—Those who have newly come to the faith should be patiently and tenderly dealt with, and it is the duty of the older members of the church to devise ways and means to provide help and...— Ev 351.1 (1946)