Eight Benefits of Day and Night Worship and Prayer

A Church transformed by the presence of Jesus will more accurately represent Jesus to the world

I recently released a call for a fresh wave of day and night worship and prayer. This article is an expansion on the why behind the what of 24/7 worship and prayer. 

As I explained previously, the ultimate reason for day and night worship is that Jesus is worthy of it. We do not need another motivation to offer the Lord extravagant worship and prayer beyond His worth. Yet in God’s providence, we find that our worship and prayer does affect things. There are benefits. 

In this article, I want to share eight of the blessings that come from efforts to establish 24/7 worship and prayer.

1. Day & night worship and prayer advances God’s kingdom on the earth

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).

2. 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 result 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.

3. 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 day and night worship and prayer that are charged with God’s glory creates an environment conducive for the supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit. 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.

4. 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 in his apostolic ministry.

5. 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.

6. Constant 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.” hen, 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 (worshiping) and fasting. Ever since Antioch, the Christian missions movement has been birthed and fueled in the context of worship and prayer. When the Church comes together to minister to the Lord, He speaks to people, sends them and directs them into His purposes for their lives — and many times to the ends of the earth!

7. 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 onto the battlefield! 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.

8. 24-7 Worship & Prayer 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. Communities that host God’s presence with day and night prayer and worship 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 (whether for seasons or year around) 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.

These are eight benefits of pursuing day and night worship and prayer. There are many more. Even small efforts to move towards more extravagant worship and prayer will begin to unlock these blessings in the lives of individuals, cities, and regions. Even if it’s not 24/7, more people praying and spending time in the presence of God is good!