commune (/kəˈmyo͞on/):

To share one’s intimate thoughts or feelings with (someone), especially on a spiritual level.

I’ve just come from one of the most beautiful times in the presence of God. I feel like I’m floating, but more than my feelings, I know I met Jesus. This encounter didn’t happen at a worship set, it wasn’t at a huge conference with thousands of people seeking God, it wasn’t even during church.. it was during a regular prayer meeting.

Prayer is an often overlooked and underutulized privilege in the church today. Our pews are full during service, but during prayer meetings, we are lucky to get even half of the church to show up.

However, prayer is something that God expects of us.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6 NIV

Notice how it doesn’t say if you pray, but it says when you pray. This is an expectation from God because His Word also tells us that…

Men ought always to pray and not to faint.

Luke 18:1

When Jesus died, the veil was torn in two, symbolizing our ability to go directly to God by way of the name of Jesus.

Meditate on this: Our great Mediator, Jesus Christ has made it possible to enter the Holy of Holies, a privilege only afforded to the High Priests in the Old Covenant once per year. I believe having this understanding can shift our outlook on prayer. Not only seeing it as an obligation, but an invitation. God is literally inviting us into His presence. He longs to meet us in the secret place, we just have to be willing to show up, be attentive, and stay.

During prayer meeting, the pastor told us to make our own altar. No, not a physical one like in the Old Testament, but a spiritual one. Have space in your home where you will diligently seek the Lord. May you have a yearning to seek the Lord and His goodness in that place of prayer. Through your communion with God, let your sacrifices be a broken and contrite spirit, or one of praise. Pray that His fire would meet those sacrifices for it to be a sweet incense as it rises to the Lord.