06/19/2021
When decisions need to be made within the church do we pray together as one for God to reveal His will in it, or do the elders, and pastors, select small committees to seek God’s guidance on behalf of the whole; perhaps even sending some Saints away to pray individually, and in solitude? We gain solidarity, harmony, and unity by kneeling together in prayer, and yet so often, we behave like the world and divide ourselves into diverse camps.
“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Acts 1:14 ESV
By seeking solutions through the will of a few men and women, who are just as fallen as all the others, we console ourselves by saying that we are seeking God’s will, but how is that so when we ignore the examples He gives us in pursuit of a strategy that ultimately divides us? In doing this we seek to simplify for ourselves what has already been made simple in God, and we risk dividing the whole to accommodate the wills of a few, rather than seeking the one perfect will of God who unites us.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 NLT
Prayer can be amazingly personal, and intimate, but when jointly prayed it also gains strength, momentum, and the ability to unite. This occurs when the prayers of many are joined together as one. The answered prayers of many become like a house that isn’t carved from a single stone, but constructed of many smaller stones, which have been placed one atop another, and side by side. In this way many masons, architects, craftsmen, and laborers, can come together to claim joint ownership in the construction of a single structure. God instructed many in the Construction of the temples. They were constructed from many stones that ultimately became one house of God, and in this way the nation was united to become one people of God, and one Church. Our prayers join together to become God’s harmony, but not unless they are sung under His direction… together.
“And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.”
2 Corinthians 1:11 NLT
We are told in scripture that where two or three (or more) are gathered together there He is also, but the man in us always wants to limit God by leaning towards the two rather than the three, or even the many. We try to impose our own limited intelligence on God, or to supersede His will with our own, as we seek to make decisions in our lives, or churches.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
The idea of more people being better than fewer is written in both the Old and New Testament. The idea of gaining strength, wisdom, and being held accountable, when we are in groups is emphasized for us in scripture…
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 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 4:9-12 ESV
Are we prepared to join together in prayer, and to confess our shortcomings to one another? Can we resist the desire to make decisions on our own?
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing all of our prayers, and answering each one individually. Thank you for stacking our faithful desires one atop the other as you hear us calling on you in the name of Jesus. Teach us to pray together Lord, and to understand the power that is gained in doing so, and the accountability that two or more hold each other to as they pray. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves the one, and the many alike as they pray as one. Praised be your name for every answered prayer, and for joining us together through our prayers. Merciful are you Father as you pour your grace out upon us, and place each righteous soul, washed clean by the blood of Jesus, in just the right place when constructing the New Jerusalem. Lift us up Holy Father, and bring us into your presence for all eternity… where we will worship you as one forevermore.
Rich Forbes