May 2006  Newsletter

 

    The Biblical Basis For Corporate Prayer

 

If a church is going to carry out God's will and have a spiritual impact, believers must pray together. Pray that God will unleash a spirit of corporate prayer in your church.

 

The Word of God is the basis for believers praying together. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 reveals that it is God's will for the church to be a house of prayer. This is the first and primary calling of the church. It is the center piece of everything else in the life and ministry of the church.The following are some Bibical reasons we are to participate in corporate prayer.

 

1) The instructions from Jesus in the Matthew 6 "Model Prayer" clearly points to multiple pray-ers. In teaching us how to pray, Jesus emphasizes that the church is to seek the Father corporately, as a body, not just as an individual believer.

"Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.  'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 'Give us this day our daily bread.  'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.]'  Matthew 6:9-13 (NASB77)

In teaching us how to pray, Jesus has placed an emphasis on praying together-corporate prayer. "We", "our" and "us" indicate to that we are to call on our Father as a body of believers.

 

2) Many times we are shown in the book of Acts, believers spent much time praying together. Acts 1:14: "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." Acts 2:42: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 12:5: "...constant prayer was offered to God for him (Peter) by the church." Other related Scripture: Acts 1:24, 3:1, 6:4, 9:40,12:12, 13:1-3. Colossians 4:12 and James 5:13-18. These texts reveal to us God's desire for the church to pray corporately. It can also be noted that that the influence, witness and power of the early church was a direct result of their praying together.

 

3) Jesus gives us two promises based on our praying together in corporate prayer. In Matthew 18:19 He gives us this promise: "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven." When we pray together - God works and His hand moves on our behalf. This promise should motivate us toward corporate prayer. Then, we are given this promise in Matthew 18:20:"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." When believers pray together, Jesus is there to bless them,change their lives,  and meet their needs.

 

4) Prayer is the foundation for effective ministry.