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Praying Together: Why doesn't it happen more often?

"When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.  There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were astounded and amazed, saying, "Look, aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that each of us can hear in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs -- we hear them speaking the magnificent acts of God in our own languages." They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, "What could this be? " But some sneered and said, "They're full of new wine! " [Act 2:1-13 HCSB]

Observations:
  • Who does what? 
    • The disciples and followers of Jesus have stayed together--in one place-- for at least a week, praying together. 
    • The Holy Spirit fills the disciples and gives them ability for speech. 
    • The disciples are filled and speak in different languages. 
    • Devout Jews lived in Jerusalem, from every nation under heaven. 
    • At the sound of the rushing wind, a crowd comes together and was confused because each one heard their own language being spoken. 
    • Devout Jews heard the disciples speaking the magnificent acts of God in their own languages. 
    • Devout Jews were astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, "What could this be?"
    • Some Devout Jews sneered and essentially called the disciples drunks. 
  • What are some of the short term results and long term effects of what was done in this story (Warning: Spoiler Alert)? 
    • More people heard the gospel. 
    • God's magnificent acts were spoken of (shortened to: God was glorified).
    • Scripture was fulfilled. 
    • Peter became a preacher. 
    • People were baptized and 3,000 were added to the group of believers. 
    • The Early church was officially started
    • The world was officially changed. 
Applications:
  • Today, do great things happen when God's people pray together for a sustained amount of time? Moment of honesty: I can't remember ever praying together for one week with the same group of people. And I consider myself a prayer warrior. I cannot remember ever dedicating one week to prayer together with a group-- not in church, not out of church-- never! The closest memory I have is my Grandmother taking me to a prayer conference when I was young-- a prayer conference full of a bunch of prayer warriors, but even then it was only three days long, not a week! 
  • Today, do many of God's people have an intense desire to see people saved and to change the world? In my experience: Yes (myself included)! So, my next logical question is: Why aren't we praying for weeks at a time together (I mean, it seemed to work for the disciples. It led to the day of Pentecost)? Answers in my head: Reason 1: We are too busy. I have to stop and meditate on this one for a moment because this is probably my biggest reason/excuse. When I feel convicted, my immediate reaction is to want to "fix the problem," so my brain is literally going through a list of people I could invite to a one week prayer retreat right now in my head while another part of my brain is going: and when would that one week be? You go back to school August 7. While you are teaching, you have NO TIME. And part of me responds: as it should be, I am giving myself 110% to the work I believe God has given me to do. But, still, the dream is there now: find a week to spend in prayer with other people. And then another part of my brain kicks in with : Why not NOW? WHY NOT PRAY NOW (thanks, Steven Curtis Chapman )?! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! And the struggle is REAL.  Reason 2: Spending a week in a room with almost any group of people (no matter how much I love them) might sound a little bit like torture (for them as much as for me). Seriously, who is going to do all the cooking and cleaning and practical stuff? How are we going to work it out when there is conflict? And what about the children? And so the list of worrisome questions can continue.  Reason 3: Well, Jesus didn't just die and go to heaven. We are living in a different time/season. This seems like an almost legitimate reason, except that: isn't this more of a reason to be in prayer as much as possible? Conclusion: Prayer Retreat to be planned (hopefully sooner rather than later). Get a hold of me if interested! 
As always: thoughts, observations, and applications welcome! 
-Jordan
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