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What is a Concert of Prayer?

A Concert of Prayer is a METHOD of conducting a corporate prayer meeting. It derived its name in the early 1700's because of the similarities between how a symphony concert is conducted and this method of organizing a large group prayer meeting.

An orchestra is made up of many different instruments and instrumentalists. Each member of the orchestra plays their instrument beautifully at home. But when they come together, guidelines for synchronized and harmonious sound must be in place before beautiful music takes place. Those guidelines take the following order.

1. Someone selects the theme or music for the concert.

2. The instruments are placed in small groups - i.e. percussion in one section, strings in another, brass in another, etc.

3. When the conductor enters, all individual music-making ceases and all are prepared to follow his direction.

4. The conductor then leads the entire orchestra through the music, giving direction so that all musicians will know what song to play, when to start, stop, increase or decrease volume, slow down or speed up.

Following these four basic "rules" results in beautiful music. The ability of the individual musicians is thus synergized in such a way as to create a powerful experience.

People who pray offer "beautiful music" to God as they pray in their own homes. But when they come together for the purpose of prayer, guidelines for how to operate are helpful - especially if the group numbers more than 20. A Concert of Prayer is a method of how people can pray in harmony with one another, yet retain their own identity (instrument) and pray (make music) as they are comfortable.

1. There is a leader (conductor) who selects the theme (music) for the time of corporate prayer (concert). The theme could be a topic or a scripture.

2. The people divide themselves into small groups of 3-5.

3. When the leader (conductor) begins, individual desires of what to pray ceases, personal prayer requests are set aside, and all focus on following the direction of the leader.

4. The leader then directs the people in their small groups to pray through the theme which will include four distinct melodies.

There will be the melody of praise that is centered around who God is and His divine character. There will be the melody of repentance from both personal sin (which will be done in silence) and corporate or national sin. The melody of petition is usually the longest "song" in the program and may be divided up into different "movements" or categories as directed by the leader. And finally, the melody of thanksgiving will conclude the concert by giving the people an opportunity to yield themselves and their prayers to God.

Though the leader may elect to have someone pray a short "solo" prayer at the beginning or conclusion of each melody as a way to start or close, all praying is done in the small group for each request. No attempt is made to inform everyone of what was prayed or of how well a group of pray-ers "played" their "music." After all, this is a concert that is played to and for God; it is for His ears alone.

Concerts of Prayer are effective for several reasons. #1. It is a way to involve everyone in prayer. #2. It provides an outlet for people to pray what's on their heart. #3. It allows quiet people to participate and choose when or even if they pray out loud. (The musical score for the triangle percussion instrument is primarily one filled with rest notes - if it is to play at all.) #4. By hearing others pray, people learn how to pray.

Historically, every renewal or spiritual awakening has been preceded by diligent, united CORPORATE prayer for repentance, revival and world evangelism. The first Concerts of Prayer movement in the early 1700's resulted in the First Great Awakening.

Today, this method of corporate prayer has become very popular in the United States. This is because of its non-threatening form, because small groups scattered across the nation can be linked up by satellite TV enabling them to all pray in unity, and because it is so effective. The Dallas Prayer Ministry has conducted a Concert of Prayer every week for more than a decade. Bob Bakke leads a televised Concert of Prayer every year on the National Day of Prayer. When Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ began to call God's children to prayer and fasting, he chose the Concert of Prayer method for leading national televised corporate prayer meetings. Evangelism Explosion encourages people to plan Concerts of Prayer to bring intercessors and evangelists together for a common goal.

Why the popularity at this time? Perhaps its because this is a way to focus specific prayer with people of all ages, differing doctrines and various levels of maturity and prayer experience. Or perhaps it is simply because Concerts of Prayer are effective. To God be the glory!