By Matt Moore
No place in the Christian life calls us and causes us to feel the push and pull of discerning God’s will like prayer. Through it, we enter into the Holy of Holies, behind the curtain, to meet with the all-powerful God. And there He promises to meet with us.
As a church, we are watching for the movement of the cloud. We are looking for clear direction from God regarding a variety of matters concerning our future. Our growth will not come from the schemes of man or the latest, greatest ideas for ministry—it will come on the heels of corporate prayer. There, we long to see Christ, meeting Him face to face. When the cloud settles, we follow. If His presence is not with us in power, we will undoubtedly trust in the arm of the flesh.
Thankfully, our God is a God who hears and answers, so we can expect to hear from Him. What does expectant prayer look like? Spurgeon again writes of corporate prayer:
If we are to receive [the Holy Spirit’s gracious influence] whenever we meet together in the Name of Jesus, for prayer and praise, we must sincerely desire it, confidently expect it, and go straight to God and ask for it. There is no need for us to go beating about the bush, and not telling the Lord distinctly what it is that we crave at His hands. Not will it be seemly for us to make any attempts to use fine language; but let us ask God, in the simplest and most direct manner, for just the things that we want for ourselves, or for others, or for His cause and Kingdom. Then let us remember our Lord’s words, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24); and at the close of the meeting, let us go on our way rejoicing, and thankful for what we have received…. We should seek out the promise which applies to that particular case, plead it before the Lord in faith, expect to have the blessing to which it relates, and then, having received it, let us proceed to the next duty devolving upon us.
Spurgeon, Only a Prayer Meeting, 23–24.
Confidence. Pray without doubting. Believe that God hears and answers.
Simplicity. Speak plainly. Ask boldly. Go straight to the throne of grace.
Rejoicing. Leave prayer with gratitude and joy, knowing He has heard.
So let us pray expectantly as we join together with one voice on January 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
