Is United Prayer for Revival Mere Superstition? | Jonathan Edwards

Deep Dive into Extraordinary Prayer for the Revival of Religion and the Advancement of Christ's Kingdom on Earth by Jonathan Edwards -Such Agreement Superstituous, AnsweredJonathan Edwards addresses objections to the practice of Christians agreeing to set apart specific, recurring times for united prayer. Some critics argue that establishing periodic times for religious observance is a human invention that adds to divine institutions, unwarrantably binds the consciences of believers, and naturally leads to superstition.Edwards counters this by clarifying the true nature of the proposal. He explains that the agreement does not involve any authoritative mandate, nor do the proposers claim any power to enforce compliance. The designated times for prayer are not elevated as inherently holy, sacred, or superior to other times. Instead, these specific schedules are chosen purely for practical reasons, such as circumstantial convenience, aiding the memory, and being free from worldly business. The agreement imposes no absolute obligations, and participants retain full liberty to alter their schedules as their judgment or circumstances dictate. The primary goal is simply for like-minded Christians to visibly consent and mutually encourage one another in prayer.Furthermore, Edwards argues that while establishing circumstances of worship by legal mandate is dangerous, mutual agreement is entirely necessary for any form of social worship. Scripture does not dictate the precise location, hour, or chronological order of public worship, such as whether singing or praying should come first. Congregations must agree on these practical details to function cohesively. Just as agreeing on a standard order of worship or holding voluntary meetings, lectures, or coordinated fasts is not superstitious, agreeing on a shared schedule for prayer is entirely permissible. Such practices only cross into superstition if they are treated as an indispensable law or made rigidly binding upon a person's conscience.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainerWorship Music: https://suno.com/playlist/3a498d0f-c90e-4981-8aa7-59834e7239f7https://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730