What is a Prayer meeting?  Who attends prayer meetings?   Why do they attend?  Who may attend a prayer meeting?  May I?  Should I? 

A prayer meeting is two or more folks gathered in the name of Jesus, for the purpose of Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.   Jesus promised in such instances that He too would be present. (Mt. 18:20). And. where He is, is holy ground.  Prayer meeting regulars really, really believe this promise.

Who are these folks that call themselves St. Theresa’s prayer group?  Regulars at prayer meetings are called a prayer group. St. Theresa’s prayer group is not a club, and has very little structure.  It is actually loosely knit, and largely held together by a common bond with the Holy Spirit.  The core members of the group, (they’ve been coming for a while),  have little jobs called ministries.  These are necessary for smooth operation of the meeting.  Others simply attend, support, celebrate and share their experiences amongst all.

Why?     Each has their own reasons, but always they can be summarized as one or more of the types of prayer;    Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.  In Thanksgiving and Supplication, there is a prayer petitions book in the front entrance of  the church;   there is a prayer list, updated and published weekly; there is a telephone prayer line for immediate prayers; there is a “circle of prayer” at the beginning of each meeting.   Prayers of Adoration and Contrition find their top place in the Eucharistic service (sometimes Mass).   Singing and praising God is the joy of  the meeting.

Am I old enough to come to prayer meeting?   Some young couples have brought their children to meetings.   Some come alone, who are teenagers.   Some who are in their twenties, and so it goes...  Never too young for Jesus.  He said, “let the little children come to me...” (Mt. 19:14).

Am I too old to come to prayer meeting?  Several regulars are in their eighties.  One lady, over ninety (now with Jesus), would come with her son.   Another not so old as she is immobile comes in her wheel chair.  Never too old, if you can get here.  Jesus said, “Unless you be born again of the Spirit, and have the “complete trust” like little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”  (Jn 3:1...Mt 18:3...)

“So what about me?”, do I hear you say?    Yes, why not you?  When I first came to a prayer meeting, I went away bewildered, and wondered if I would return next week.   I resolved to make an intelligent decision based on more than just a single meeting.   I came back.  and back, and back...

Shhh!  Have you heard that sometimes people at prayer meetings pray in words that no one understands? Well, no one but God, that is.    Yes, this happens.   Sometimes prayer is so personal between God and me that I don’t know how to put my feelings into words.   It is then that He helps me by giving me words that only He understands.  I can say them to God quite out loud, and never fear that anyone else will be scandalized or hurt by, or critical of what I say.  Such prayer is called praying in tongues.  It is not something new.  It is first recorded as happening on Pentecost  (acts 2:..), and later in (acts 19:6 and 1 Cor. 12:10...)  It’s only purpose therefore is to help me to better give praise and glory to God.  If the Father wishes to reveal to these little ones (mt 11:25) what he hides from the learned and clever;  who am I to question God?