All tagged joint
Do we pray alone? Well, it is good to pray by ourselves, and also in secret, because this is required to maintain the intimacy of our relationship with God, but are there also times when praying together is called for? The answer to this question is a resounding “Yes!” There is power in joining together in certain prayers, whether we are physically together or scattered around the world as we are praying. When a unified prayer is offered by many it carries much weight before the throne of God.
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.
There are times when it is more appropriate to pray alone, but it is also good to pray with one another when we pray for common causes, or in intercession for one of our brethren. Scripture tells us that we are to pray in secret, that Jesus would separate himself from the others to pray, and that prophets spoke alone with God, but there are other times when the disciples came together in joint prayer, and the Israelites came together before God in prayer. Praying together can be uplifting to us personally as we reinforce one another in our commitment, cause, and devotion, but it also increases the power of our petition, and the acceptance of God’s answer.
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.