1. Jesus is worthy. Full stop.
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:11-12
The angels surrounding the throne of God with incessant worship are not enslaved by duty but enthralled by beauty. It is not obligation but fascination that keeps them there day & night. Jesus is worthy of worship! The revelation of who He is and what He has done on the cross demands an extravagant response. Day & night worship is not primarily to get something, but it is because we have already gotten something. The Gospel provokes worship. When we see Him we sing. Why should communities gather 24/7 to worship and pray? Jesus is why.
2. Day & night worship is the environment of heaven, and Jesus wants heaven on earth
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10
When communities gather in 24/7 worship and prayer they are replicating the environment of heaven, and thus becoming an answer to Jesus’ prayer for God’s will to be done on the earth. The “priestly” ministry of worship and prayer to the Lord fuels the “kingly” ministry to people such as evangelism, missions, justice and societal transformation. King David understood that where the King is enthroned in praise (Psalm 22:3) that He manifests His kingdom in that region. David established a worship tent in Jerusalem with 33 years of non-stop musical praise. What David established in a limited scale in Israel, Jesus is establishing on a worldwide scale across the earth (Acts 15:16-17).
3. Spending time focusing on Jesus transforms & sanctifies those who are praying and worshiping
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Worship and prayer are transformative. RC Sproul said “Prayer does change things, all kinds of things. But the most important thing it changes is us.” Those who gather for day & night worship & prayer are being changed to become more like the One to whom they are singing and praying. It causes the nature of Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit to be more evident in the body of Christ. Mobilizing 24/7 worship and prayer will inevitably results in the sanctification and transformation of the believers who are spending those hours ministering to God. A Church transformed by the presence of Jesus will more accurately represent Jesus to the world.
4. Miracles, healing and deliverance happen during worship & prayer
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake….he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. Acts 16:25-34
When believers gather to worship and pray, God manifests His presence among them. The presence of God brings the power of God to save, heal and deliver. Miracles happen in His presence! Hosting dwelling places of 24/7 worship and prayer that are charged with God’s glory creates an environment conducive for the supernatural. The story of Paul and Silas singing and praying in jail at midnight is an excellent example of what can happen. Not only were Paul and Silas miraculously set free from their chains and bondage, but the power of God became a witness to the jailer and his entire family, who put their faith in Christ.
5. God uses intercessory prayer to make the preaching of the Gospel more effective
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1
Prayer works! Andrew Murray said, “The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history.” If prayer fuels the impact and effectiveness of the Gospel’s spread across the earth, then mobilizing 24/7 prayer and worship will have a direct impact on the evangelization efforts of the body of Christ. Paul regularly asked the churches to pray for him in his efforts to spread the Gospel because he understood the power of intercessory prayer on his apostolic ministry.
6. Praying & singing the Bible day & night roots the Church in biblical truth
His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2
What are the people of God going to sing and pray 24/7? The word of God! The book of Psalms highlights the man or woman who meditates on God’s word day & night. That same value for God’s word is expressed in a collective way through prayer and worship ministries who sing biblical songs and pray biblical prayers. In this way, the prayer and worship actually create a kind of “singing seminary” that trains the Church in biblical truth and sound theology.
7. Ministry to the Lord fuels cross-cultural missions & the Great Commission
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3
The very first Christian missionaries were sent from the Church at Antioch, where they were ministering to the Lord and fasting. Ever since Antioch, the Christian missions movement has been birthed and fueled by day & night worship & prayer. When the Church comes together to minister to the Lord with worship & prayer, He speaks to people, sends them and directs them into His purposes for their lives – and many times to the ends of the earth!
8. United worship acts as spiritual warfare over regions
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.” Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes… 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Worship and prayer are acts of spiritual warfare. The story of Jehoshaphat is one of the more dramatic biblical pictures of this reality. Before Israel sent the army into battle, they sent the singers! While they were worshiping God, He actually fought the battle for them. If our praise and intercession impacts angels and demons, then establishing 24/7 worship and prayer in our cities is a way to ensure that there is a non-stop battering ram against the forces of darkness in our regions.
9. Provides a place for Christians to be refreshed in God’s presence
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19
Refreshing comes through repentance and time in the presence of the Lord. Prayer rooms become places where Christian workers are refreshed & empowered – where they receive direction and wisdom for their calling in life. A furnace of worship & prayer that is open 24-7 (or close to it) becomes a refuge for those who need to get away to be with God at any time – a spiritual fueling station for a city or region. Charles Spurgeon used to call his intercession room the “Boiler Rooms” because they were what provided spiritual power for his ministry.
10. Can be a catalyst for unity in the body of Christ in cities & region
“That they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me… Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory.” John 17:20-24
Jesus’ high priestly prayer of John 17 is a radical cry for the Father to unite the Church together in Christ and in united love for one another. He prayed that Christians would be one just as the Father and Son are one, and He prayed that we would behold His glory. The unity God desires to manifest within the Church will ultimately come when we collectively shift our focus to the man Jesus Christ himself. Worship and prayer shifts our perspective to God and calls the body of Christ together in a unique way. The Church was birthed in prayer and unity in the upper room. And even today, efforts to establish 24-hour worship and prayer can be catalytic in bringing together believers from multiple denominations and churches to unite around Jesus.
11. It’s enjoyable! There is joy when we gather to pray
Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Isaiah 56:7
Worship and prayer can actually be a lot of fun. We do not have to worship and pray, we get to worship and pray!
12. There is joy when we worship in God’s presence
In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
No really… it’s enjoyable! Jesus is the most satisfying being in the entire universe! As John Piper has said, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him!
Three Practical Ways to Respond
- Prioritize God’s presence through the Bible, worship & prayer in your own life
- Participate in ministries doing day & night worship & prayer such as houses of prayer & Burn 24-7 furnaces. Commit and serve regularly.
- Give money to ministries and missionaries who are working towards day & night worship & prayer. (You can give to Presence Pioneers to support our ministry work.)