Are We Missing Something in Prayer?
February 3, 2025

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, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. —1 Peter 5:8-9

Lately, I’ve been wrestling with a question: Are we missing something in our prayers? I’ve seen breakthrough moments—real, undeniable moves of God. But I’ve also seen those moments fade. People experience God’s power, yet that fire doesn’t always seem to last. And I wonder if part of the reason is that we, have yet to grasp the depth of corporate prayer and dependence on God that we see in many places around the world.

A few years ago, I had a dream about a church planter in Bozeman, MT. He was in distress in the dream. The next morning, I reached out and found he was in distress in life and ministry as well. I gathered some guys to pray for him. Almost immediately, he experienced a personal breakthrough. Within the next week so did his ministry, three people were baptized in his church.

The enemy prowls around like a lion, looking to devour. There was a diliberate attack on this man and the strength of the church pressed in to combat this force. The problem is it feels like these wins are far too few and far apart. We think we’re aiming at the right target, chasing after the goals and achievments we’re longing for. But we don’t always see the spiritual attack lurking beneath the surface.

We Are Missing Something
I’ve seen breakthroughs happen through prayer. But I’ve also seen how those moments don’t always last. And I wonder if it’s because we aren’t fighting together the way we should be.

If we truly believed we had an enemy—a real enemy—would we pray differently? Would we come together more urgently, more consistently, and with more faith?

The early church understood this. When Peter was imprisoned, the church didn’t just hope for his release; they gathered and prayed through the night (Acts 12:5). When persecution scattered the believers, they didn’t retreat in fear; they prayed and went boldly forward.

What if we lived like that?

What if we prayed like that?

What if this year, we made prayer—together—the first thing we turn to instead of the last?

Action Step:

Take one tangible step today to engage in prayer with others. Call a friend, gather a small group, or set up a prayer time with your church community. Begin interceding together—not just for personal needs, but for breakthroughs that last.

Who will you reach out to today?

Prayer:

Lord, open my eyes to the battle around me. Help me see that the struggles I face are not just physical or circumstantial, but spiritual. I don’t want to fight alone—I want to stand firm with my brothers and sisters in prayer. Teach me to resist the enemy, to fight the right battles, and to seek You with a heart fully dependent on Your power. Help our church to step into a deeper culture of corporate prayer, trusting that You will move as we pray together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.