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Connecting with the Community in Prayer

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”- Psalm 145:18

In a world filled with worldly distractions, it is easy to forget why we are here in the first place. As Christians, we are called to pray and call onto God for guidance and trust. We are meant to connect with our community in a way that honors God. He is the keeper of all things and the bearer of our deepest thoughts and struggles (Psalm 121:5). He invites us to cast our worries unto Him (1 Peter 5:7).

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Why Prayer Matters, Wherever We Are 

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

God asks His believers to pray as a way to find connection with Him on a deeper level. Behind closed doors in privacy, Christians can find stillness and truly sit in God’s presence (Matthew 6:6). When praying within a community setting together with neighbors, friends, teachers, students, parents, the support and fellowship can be life changing to those involved. In times of celebration or in times of need, having a prayer-filled community come together can make life all the better. Offering up prayer and invitations for prayer requests can invite a level of vulnerability and create a safe space for those who might not feel bold or confident enough to pray in public. The invitation allows those who need to be prayed over to be shown support and love by those in the communal circles.

Christian school and faith-based communities are discovering how group prayer can shift perspectives. From home-based gatherings and prayer walks to school-wide chapel services, a tone is being set that helps grow belief in the hearts of people that takes root at a young age. Sian Teague, leader of Moms of Mount Parent shares, “There is a partnership of school and parents and the community around it. The Moms of Mount Paran have become a family. During our difficult seasons, we show up for each other and we show up for the school. It is more than just prayer. We know that the power of prayer changes things. When we show up to pray, we’re covering our great school with prayer and we’re also building a community around the importance of prayer and the petition of our school.”

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Praying at Home: The Family's Role

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”- Jeremiah 33:3

For children, their spiritual habits take root and form within the home. They look to the adults in their daily lives who are leading them. A simple routine like saying a blessing over dinner, praying before bed, or reading a single Bible verse together can help cultivate spiritual resilience in kids and encourage parents who may feel unequipped. Thomas Estes, the leader of Men of Mount Paran, shares, “Start small: encourage your kids to pray out loud. I think bedtime is an easy one because they're more relaxed. I will pray in the car right before a carpool drop telling my children to have a good day and to please be kind. Look out for those that need a friend.”

Though many Christians find a foundation of faith in their young age, there are many who do not learn how to pray until much later in life. Finding the confidence to be bold and share prayer in a public capacity may feel intimidating, but God made prayer accessible to all without limitation. Prayer does not require spiritual expertise or eloquence — consistency and sincerity are enough. Teague shares, “I think when our children see that partnership between school and parents praying and studying the Bible, they recognize it's not just a school thing. It's not just a church thing. It's a family thing. It's essential. It's an everyday thing. And it encourages, it creates a stronger network of students wanting to read the Bible, wanting to pray and make it a lifestyle. If we equip them with prayer and knowing the Lord for themselves, you have accomplished your job as a parent. At least for me, that was my goal.” The peace and tranquility offered by a strong prayer life is one worth creating.

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Where Can We Find These Prayer Filled Communities? 

Finding prayer filled communities does not have to be difficult. Some schools and local communities offer prayer walks with an invitation to walk around a school, building, or neighborhood and pray over different landmarks or communities in a group together. Searching for group gatherings of moms after school drop-off, or a group of dads quietly praying for their children’s hearts and the challenges facing teachers that week. By getting connected within a group, a bond may be formed based on a foundation that is rooted in faith.

For Estes, the Men of Mount Paran ministry has been about community and leadership. Beginning small with donuts, coffee, and guest speakers, the group has now grown into a community of dads studying Scripture together and encouraging one another to lead their homes well. Meeting every other Thursday morning, the group dives into Bible studies, discusses life’s challenges, and prays for the school. In addition to these meetings, dads have stepped onto campus to pray over sports teams, creating powerful moments for students to see faith in action. Similar to Men of Mount Paran is Moms in Prayer. This organization has chapters located in different communities where women and mothers gather and pray over their children and the communities they reside in. 

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How to Begin — And Keep Going

If prayer feels unfamiliar, remember that God welcomes simple, honest words. Here are some practical ideas for building prayer into family and community life:

  • Start with Scripture:
The Bible is the Word and the foundation of faith. Starting small by using biblical prayers like The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) or Psalm 23 as a daily practice.
  • Pray Together:
As a family or as a group, invite those close to you as you start the day with an invitation to pray. In meetings or school events, open the gathering up with prayer.
  • Prayer Journals:
Start writing down your prayers. Carry your journal with you as prayer requests and thoughts come to mind. Revisit previously written prayers and see how God is answering and responding to what you are asking of Him.
  • Meal and Fellowship:
Host a meal for your friends and neighbors to come together and ask to pray for all those who are individually present.
  • Prayer Walks:
Take time to pray over the spaces that you are in most while walking around them. Whether that is your neighborhood, your children’s schools, your workplace, your church, wherever that is, pray intentionally over that space.
  • Prayer Partners:

Create a partnership with someone who will be accountable with you in your prayer life. Get together and pray together with you and help encourage you to continue on this journey.

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An Invitation To Join

Prayer doesn’t need proof — it needs practice. That’s the heartbeat of both Moms of Mount Paran and Men of Mount Paran.

Moms of Mount Paran meet every other Friday morning at 8 a.m. after drop-off.

Men of Mount Paran meet every other Thursday morning at the Men’s Grill in the Marietta Country Club.

Newcomers are always welcome. Whether you want to actively pray out loud or simply sit and listen, there’s a place for you.

Diana La is Assistant Director of Communications at Mount Paran Christian School. 
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