A Commitment to Corporate Prayer
“And they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
A few Christmas seasons ago, our church decided to go out to Main Street in the evening and host a time for Christmas caroling. It had hot chocolate. It had Christmas goodies. It had fire pits. And it had single-digit to negative temperatures! It was COLD. However, it was a wonderful time. Many showed up despite the cold and sang, drank up the hot chocolate, and as soon as the event had begun, it seemed our time was finished, and it was time to clean up.
The Scripture passage points to the joy every believer can experience when being devoted to prayer together. The church gathered in very harsh conditions and trying times, but there was joy in experiencing life together and asking God to work in all of the people together.
Sadly, when we become so isolated, even in prayer, we don’t get to hear and see what God is doing in our friends, other believers, and in the church! We can feel much like Elijah, when fleeing for his life and hiding in a cave, called out to God and said, “There is no one left but me?!” We may feel this way, but the truth is there are many around us if we just look and engage.
When the church is committed to praying together, they become committed to seeing the Kingdom of God in their lives, in their church, and in their community. God brings unity when we pray together. God strengthens relationships and grows new relationships when we pray together. God causes us to grow in love for others when we pray together. And God brings joy to the church when we pray together!
How committed to praying corporately are you?
How could you be more involved with others in prayer?
What would keep you from praying with others?
Prayer
Father, help us to be unified together in prayer. Magnify our joy as we pray for your will to be done in the lives of your people. May we experience your work being accomplished through our prayers and may we know you in a transforming way. Amen.
