First, I continually talk with prayer leaders who are not satisfied with the corporate prayer level of their church. They firmly believe that God would move with more power in their midst if they can just get more people praying! But how many people in a given church are necessary? Five out of 100, Ten, Twenty? Or Thirty-three? Scripture tells us if two or three agree . . . Hmmm. Maybe five out of 100 can be enough.

Second, I have been mystified by people’s constant need to get more people to pray for their need. Someone may have dozens of people praying for what is on their heart, but then they need you too. So they ask you to pray for their friend, whom you have never met and will never meet. Or at a prayer meeting that is supposed to be focused on God transforming the community, they bring up their second cousin’s heart surgery. Gotta get more people praying, they think. Aren’t the prayers of the ones who already are praying enough? Didn’t God hear those? Is one more person going to make a difference? I don’t think so.

And so these things have got me pondering this subject. Why is that we feel we have to get more and more people praying? Is it a lack of faith? Is it because nothing has happened so we need more people. Hopefully someone will pray the right thing that moves the hand of God!

Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t have the answers to these questions. I am just wondering. I welcome any input or incite any of you might have. Feel free to email me with your comments.

There are some things I do know and believe, however.

I know that God only needs one person to pray—if that prayer is prayed by someone who is pure before the Lord and it is in accordance to His will (1 John 3:21-22, 5:14-15). Ezekiel 22:30 tells us that He looked for one man to pray, to intercede on behalf of Israel so God wouldn’t have to destroy it. But no one would. One person would have spared an entire nation’s exile! Think about that when you are complaining that no one is showing up at your prayer meeting.

I also believe (though I can’t say for certain, so I won’t say “know”) that Satan uses people’s insecurities to get a lot of people to waste others’ “prayer time.” Satan knows God doesn’t need ten more people to pray for something before He responds. So I believe Satan moves many people to keep asking more and more people to pray for what’s on their heart. So even though people are praying for their need, they take prayer meetings on revival down bunny trails and cause people to stop praying for kingdom moving things so they can pray for their cousin’s surgery.

This topic needs a book , not a 600 word article, but let me conclude by offering two words of encouragement as prayer leaders.

First, while you should still try to encourage more people at your church to pray—both privately and corporately—don’t get too discouraged if it is slow going. The prayers of a handful of dedicated, desperate intercessors can be highly effective in the life of a church. Even if no pastor or leader comes to the prayer time. I was recently at a church that struggles to see its leadership involved in prayer. But their praying people have very effectively set up meaningful prayer strategies. And that church has seen close to 800 people born again in the last two years. Don’t tell me the prayers of only a few aren’t effective.

Second, don’t feel guilty if you do not pray for every person’s need. God will move the hearts of those He wants to pray for a given person. We do not have to feel responsible for everyone’s prayer agenda’s. You might encourage the person who might want a lot more people praying to check out the World Prayer Team (www.worldprayerteam.org) or Supplicate Ministries (www.supplicate.org). Both are web-based prayer ministries where potentially hundreds of people might see one’s request.

Stay focused on praying what God wants you and your groups to pray for your church. You have enough numbers to move His hand, because all He needs is one person to put His heart into!

--Jonathan Graf is the president of the Church Prayer Leaders Network. His book, The Power of Personal Prayer is available to CPLN members at a 30% discount. Click here for more information.