10/16/2021
When the opportunity arises for us to deliver the Word of God, or witness to others regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ, are we bold enough to speak out, and obey our commission as we should? Are there times when the Spirit is moving us that we resist the call to speak because of our fear of rejection, or perhaps for our own personal safety? Well, there will be such times, and we can overcome them by praying as one with our fellow believers for God’s strength, courage, and guidance. By joining together in prayer, we gain great confidence in what we are to do and say at such moments. In our joint prayer, and singularity of faith, there is incredible strength, and resolve, and we are joined in this by the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Himself as he prays in intercession to God on our behalf.
“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:31 ESV
Our prayers can shake the world, and cause amazing spiritual things of faith to occur. The apostles were sent into the world, but they didn’t travel alone, they went with the strength they derived from one another’s prayers, the prayers of Jesus before God, and those that were being offered up for them by the Saints who remained at home in support of them. Our prayers, the prayers of Saints, are gathered as incense in heavenly bowls…
“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Revelation 5:8 ESV
And these prayers, in mass, are offered up in a cloud before God…
“And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.”
Revelation 8:3-4 ESV
Can we envision this, and see the impact each of our prayers has when it is joined with those of another, and another, and another, until the golden bowls are filled to overflowing? Now add the intercession of Jesus, and the scene is one of absolute awe, wonder, glory, and becomes an overwhelming spectacle of awesome power… this is joint prayer.
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 7:25 ESV
When I was younger I used to enjoy hunting game birds with dogs. My favorites were the pointing breeds who would ease up to the place that a pheasant or quail was hiding and suddenly freeze with their nose pointing at where the bird was hidden. Their entire body would be locked, unmoving, as if they were a statue made of stone. If you happened to be hunting with more than one dog the others would see the point and ease forward towards where the first dog was pointing until they too froze solid. This was called “backup pointing”, and gave you a great deal of confidence that the bird was there. Then, you would move in behind the dogs, give the command to “FLUSH!”, and following a well-placed shot there would be pheasant or quail for dinner. Our “backup prayers” when joined together do a very similar thing, they bring us confidence, an anticipation of what is to come, and finally yield answered prayer… dinner on the table of our faith.
“You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”
2 Corinthians 1:11 ESV
When we send missionaries abroad, or go ourselves, we should pray together for them, and with them, for the Holy Spirit to strengthen them, and give them voice. The Holy Spirit is like a bridge that connects us with God, but he also joins our hearts and prayers together as one to give us a strength of faith far greater than any one of us possesses alone. He also prays for us when we are at a loss for words, and in this way joins with Jesus in intercession for us. Yes, our many prayers, when coupled together, are powerful indeed, and overcome all obstacles to the will of god.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing our prayers, and for your Son Jesus who prays in intercession for us. Thank you for the power and strength of our joined prayers that fill the golden bowls placed before you, and for the sweet smell of their smoke that wafts from Heaven as they are offered up. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who answers our prayers, and encourages us with your Holy Spirit. Praised be your name for those times when our souls are unable to find words for what we are feeling, and your Spirit gives us utterance. Merciful are you who gives us brothers and sisters in Christ to lovingly join us in prayer, and whose voices are lifted up by day and night to propel us in doing your will. Great are you for the ascension of Jesus, and for hearing His constant intercession for us at your throne.
Wash us clean in the blood of Christ, and remove our sins, so that we can stand worthy before you, praying, and delivering our lives, and spirits, into your hands. Find us to be as your Son Jesus is… perfect in obedience to your will, and fervent in our prayers. Seat us eternally as your loving children around your table, and feed us the manna of your word forevermore.
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,”
Ephesians 6:18-19 ESV
Rich Forbes