Gathering [Virtually] for Prayer is Still Important
“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath’s day walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. . . They all joined together constantly in prayer . . .” (Acts 1: 12-14).
Three years ago, when I wrote about Sunday’s texts, I emphasized the importance of gathering, using the disciples’ example of gathering in the upper room to pray together. I noted that we had received a gift of a sofa pillow with the word “Gather” beautifully embroidered in gold on a beige background. It is still on our sofa, but it never occurred to us that this word would become so important worldwide in a few years and that people across the globe would be prohibited from gathering.
But that is where we are today, and for good reason. When I first mentioned the pandemic on this website, over 3,000 people in the United States had died from the virus. The number today is up to 89,589. By comparison, the Center for Disease Control reported that the winter of 2018 was an especially bad flu season, when the flu virus killed an estimated 80,000 Americans (up from 12,000 to 56,000 in prior years).
Three years ago, I cited many reasons to gather: There is strength in numbers. When we gather together as a family, whether at home or at church, we share each other’s joys and sorrows. We share stories about our day or week. We laugh together. We make music together or listen to music. We brainstorm with each other. We help each other. We put our arms around each other in joy or sympathy. We pray together before meals and during devotions. We can still reap all of these benefits of community by staying “in touch” with each other through phone calls, videoconferencing Bible studies and small groups, and worshipping together virtually in our own homes.
This week’s Scripture texts[1] show us how Jesus and his disciples set an example for us of the importance of gathering together for prayer. The texts remind us to turn to God in times of joy to thank him for our blessings, and also in times of uncertainty, suffering, weakness, and challenge, as we would turn to a trusted friend, with whom we have a long-standing relationship.
Jesus gathered his disciples together to break bread with them on that last Thursday before his arrest. The group then accompanied him to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. The 17th chapter of John records Jesus’ prayer in the Garden. Jesus began by acknowledging that “The hour has come.” (John 17: 1). His last act before his arrest was to model to his disciples what to do when faced with life’s most difficult challenges—pray. He knew that the best thing he could give his disciples at that moment was to gather them together and to pray for them. He also knew that the image of him in deep prayer would remain with them for the rest of their lives. In verses 6-11 he prayed for his disciples who did not fully understand what was to come. In his prayer Jesus says that God’s glory—his presence and character– was revealed through him, and will continue in his disciples: “And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.” (John 17:11).
We need to remember during this time of separation from each other that we are gathered together with the body of Christ when we pray—wherever we are physically located. It is more important than ever that we join in prayer with our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout Christendom. Quoting the old saying, “the family that prays together, stays together,” our pastor pointed out that the saying is true of our spiritual families as well as our flesh and blood families. He wrote a prayer that he encourages us to pray together every morning as a church family, along with the Lord’s prayer:
“Gracious God, I thank You that Your love for me never fails – it is fresh and new each day. Let me experience beauty and joy today, and give me hope for tomorrow. Help me share Your love with others. Bring an end to the coronavirus, heal all who are infected, and protect all health care workers. Watch over my loved ones, my neighbors, all workers, and the unemployed. Bless every leader here and around the world who is dealing with this crisis, and help our church to always be an outpost of hope. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
I encourage you to pray this prayer or a similar one every morning with us here in Southern California and with your own church family. Our prayers will rise like a stream of incense, pleasing to God, when we join our voices in prayer.
When Jesus left them, the disciples felt truly alone and were uncertain about the future. They all gathered and prayed constantly for guidance: “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath’s day walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. . . They all joined together constantly in prayer . . . “ (Acts 1: 12-14). There is strength in gathering with your fellow sojourners in faith in your local church and in praying with them as the body of Christ.
While we can’t gather physically at this time to support and strengthen each other, we have found ways to connect with our communities while following the guidelines relating to social distancing, etcetera. In the beginning, in mid-March, we started with telephone calls and emails and began scheduling telephone conferences with each other. Then we became proficient with videoconferencing applications. And we walked in our neighborhoods waving and talking to neighbors behind our masks while keeping a distance of at least 6 feet. Some received a lift from a crane and visited relatives outside of their windows. Others “touched” each other’s hands through plastic sheets or bubbles. Some drove by in a car and honked. Some delivered food and flowers to friends and neighbors. Socially distanced meals in backyards with family members at tables spaced more than 6 feet apart are becoming quite common. And even though we can’t hug each other, we converse, laugh, and FaceTime with distant relatives during the party. We gather at the same time on Sunday morning for virtual worship. As I “dressed for church” on Sunday, I joked with Bob that I have to be careful not to wear the same outfit I wore “to church” last Sunday. The yearning to gather together is strong, and we have found ways to maintain our community connections virtually even during these lockdown months.
God lives in each member of the church and gathering together whether physically, telephonically, or virtually, strengthens each of us just as it strengthens the whole. God listens to the prayers of all, but it is truly beautiful when many are gathered in his name, and the prayer of each heart is sent as one to the Father. The disciples modeled what we should do when we are at crossroads in our lives and do not know which way to turn: follow the example of the disciples and the old hymn and “take it to the Lord in prayer.” Gather with the body of Christ, his church on earth, where others will put their arms around you (virtually at this time) and pray with you and for you, and where your prayers can join with the prayers of all.
Peter gives us some practical advice: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith . . . and the God of all grace . . . will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5: 7-10). As weak and defenseless animals are easy prey for lions, so we are low hanging fruit for Satan to pluck when we are weak, alone, and suffering. Surround yourself with other prayerful souls, especially in times of need.
Gather by phone or virtually with your friends in Christ who will love, support, and pray for you so that you can live a life pleasing to God. Take your joys and disappointments to God as an individual and as a member of the body of Christ. God has promised to be there when two or three are gathered in his name—whether on the phone, on a video conference call, or in other socially distanced ways. As we discussed last week, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the advocate, to live within each of us. The strength of the Holy Spirit living in each person gathered can fend off attacks by the minions of the evil one. Call upon the Spirit to build your relationship with him, and to strengthen his body in your church. He is there for you, as sure as the air you breathe. And he can be trusted.
Prayer: “Gracious God, I thank You that Your love for me never fails – it is fresh and new each day. Let me experience beauty and joy today, and give me hope for tomorrow. Help me share Your love with others. Bring an end to the coronavirus, heal all who are infected, and protect all health care workers. Watch over my loved ones, my neighbors, all workers, and the unemployed. Bless every leader here and around the world who is dealing with this crisis, and help our church to always be an outpost of hope. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.” (Daily Prayer written by Pastor Ken Frese).
Diane Cieslikowski Reagan
[1] The Scripture texts for the 7th Sunday after Easter are Acts 1: 12-26; Psalm 68; 1 Peter 4: 12-19; 5: 6-11; John 17: 1-11.
Diane Reagan 
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