God answers prayer, especially when His children pray together. A deacon in one of the churches I pastored, Babe Donache, fell ill and was taken to hospital. The report came to us on Sunday afternoon that he was critically ill. At the evening service, instead of preaching, I called the church to prayer. We worshipped the Lord, and all prayed together for Babe. The next day I went to see him in hospital. He knew of his critical condition and told me what I should do at his funeral. On returning home I receive news that Babe had tests following my visit and that his condition had changed, and he could come home. I know God answered our prayers and that He miraculously healed Babe.
Throughout the Bible we find that God’s people gathered together to pray. In the early church, believers met often, sometimes daily, for prayer and worship. (Acts 2:40-47) In times past many of the greatest revivals started as believers joined together in community prayer meetings.
What exactly is corporate prayer? Corporate prayer is simply praying as one. When we gather together and combine our prayers as one body of Christ the results are powerful. Sadly, however, in our present culture of busyness, we have lost a bit of the urgency for corporate prayer. We must remember that gathering for corporate worship and prayer is essential to our spiritual journey.
Jesus instructed, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:19, 20).
We can pray in our Bible Study small groups, with friends gathering together, as parents who gather to pray for their children, and that is great. However, the more dedicated and focused our prayers are, the more powerful they will be. This is why the Prayer Meetings of the church is so important.
This month our attention at IBCZ is on prayer. On Sunday we will meet for corporate prayer at 10 am followed by the worship service 10:30. I trust that you will join us for worship, prayer, and instruction from the Word of God.
Your friend and pastor,
Bruce.