12/18/2021
As Christians we are often asked by the people around us for prayer. They ask us to lift them up individually, or to pray for their friends, loved ones, and various happenings in their lives. When we do so there is power in our individual prayers of intercession, but Oh the power, and might, of joint prayer. When we pray as one within God’s will, and with the full confidence of His promised answer… our spirits soar. However, when we do this together as a group, or church, something even more amazing, and beautiful occurs. Suddenly the incredible flight of a single prayer joins with all the others to soar before the throne as they turn together in symphony like a flight of pigeons. They wheel high overhead turning this way and that in unison, and seem to do so almost effortlessly as they join with the others to protect us from the falcons, hawks, and goshawks, that flash ominously through our lives.
“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”
Acts 12:5 ESV
When the news first came that I had been diagnosed with cancer a single prayer was lifted up for me, but as others heard that I was ill their prayers came to join with those already being prayed. Friends, groups, churches, and gatherings of pastors and believers near and far… prayers were even offered up before the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem… and I was healed. There was enough strength in a single prayer that the Lord would hear it, and heal me, but how amazing was the joined strength of so many. The same was true of Peter when he was imprisoned.
“For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 ESV
Today we might be in need of prayer, or have been asked to pray for someone else; whatever the circumstance should be, we need to reach out to others, and ask them to join us in praying. If we have an established prayer chain we need to call on it. If our church has a prayer list we should add our name, or request to it. If we are in a small group we should ask the others for their prayers, and by all means we should ask the pastor and elders of our church to pray.
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
James 5:13-15 ESV
From this passage of scripture we learn that praying together is not meant to heal our suffering, or hardships alone. Although we are often quick to solicit prayer in these circumstances, we seem to be less inclined to ask others to pray for us, and with us, when we are filled with happiness, and cheer! Our celebration and thanksgiving are increased in numbers too. I remember times of happiness when I would walk around whistling a song, or singing to myself, but how selfish that was of me. When the Lord has blessed us we should be just as quick to join with one another in those moments, and offer prayers of thanksgiving, singing, and laughing together to Him! Our empathy in shared joy is just as intense as it is in the midst of suffering. A church prays together in need, but it should also pray together in glorifying God when good things happen. Just as we fall to our knees together on solemn occasions, we should all be lifted up in the joyous festival of celebrating the answer to a single prayer.
So… how do we envision our joint prayer? Are we free with sharing the good and the bad, the hardships and successes, and in laughter as well as the tears in our lives? How many strands comprise our cord of shared prayer?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for allowing us to come to you in our times of need. Thank you for encouraging us to join together in our prayers, and we especially thank you for not only tasting and drying our tears, but for hearing our laughter, and singing over us as we celebrate your goodness, and mercy. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who hears the solo song of our prayer, but is caught up in the choir of our supplications, and thanksgiving. You are merciful Lord, and dry all our tears. You are good Father, and sing with us. You are full of grace, and allow the needs of the one to become the desires of the many as the sinner is lifted up by the love of the righteous who pray for his salvation. Your love for us abounds, and brought forth your Son Jesus to redeem us. Wash us in His blood Holy Father, and transform us through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. In this way we pray that you will see his image in us as you come to judge us, and hear His voice of intercession in the crowd who prays for our souls. Thus welcome us joyfully into your presence for all eternity.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.”
Zephaniah 3:17-18 ESV
“May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalm 20:4-7 ESV
Rich Forbes