Back in 1999, Pastor James Meeks of Chicago saw the devastation alcohol was causing in his neighborhood. He led his church to pray and then conduct a campaign to vote the neighborhood dry, shutting down 30 taverns. Collective prayer can often result in dramatic outcomes. Long ago, the psalmist expressed confidence in collective prayer. In Psalm 20, he first invokes God’s blessings upon their leader, the king; then he leads the entire congregation in worship; they celebrate Almighty God for the anticipated victory the king would win on behalf of his people. He writes: “Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God. Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.” The psalmist anticipates the congregation raising a victory banner to celebrate God’s actions on their behalf. They knew where to turn in times of trouble. Their prayer was based upon God’s covenant with His people. Today we who have a relationship with God through faith in Christ know where to go when trouble arises. We go to our Lord to gain inner peace, wisdom, and the strength to persevere.
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Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
