A few friends and I recently started a prayer meeting, there are only 4 of us. It has been a good few years since I was involved in them. It's mainly rosary, praise, silence, prophecy and scripture. I have found it a tremendous source of grace and peace compared to all the negativity going on around and helps keep my mind on what really matters. The Lord never fails to give us words of love and encouragment, and challenges too. It is so easy to get bogged down in all the attacks against our faith going on at the moment but in the prayer meeting we sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to him.. He is in charge of everything negative and already has the victory.. we are like actors on the stage of life but He has written the script and it has a very happy ending!
I've been involved in one in Limerick City for a couple of years. At last nights meeting, I got talking about prayer meetings and the importance of them to me in these days of uncertainty. I see them as neccessary tools as our Catholic faith takes a battering from all sides. We gain a lot of encouragement, fellowship and ability to discern prophesy by becoming members of prayer meetings. It nourishes the soul and gives one energy so as to not give up. Prayer meetings are also very important in terms of having somewhere to go to in an age where churches are closing due to lack of vocations. The church will be led by the laity in years to come but lay people need an external energy source as they will have other commitments to deal with in their lives. Prayer meets will provide this rich source of spiritual energy.
Though this is considered a reference to the Eucharist, it is just as pertinent to what you are encouraging, Alleluia! Hebrews 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Prayer meetings have died out a lot in recent years, especially those using the charismatic gifts which is a real shame. I lived in a rural area some 25 years ago and yet could attend a different meeting 5 days a week if I so wished, all within an hours drive.
