If asked, many of us would say that we believe in the power of prayer. We read His word and see His reminders of the strength of our prayers together. Yet reality says that most days, life’s ups and downs, busyness, struggles, or worries press hard against us, and interfere with any commitment to pray.
If asked, many of us would say that we believe in the power of prayer. We know how important it is and believe that God is at work through His people. We read His word and see His reminders of the strength of our prayers together. Yet reality says that most days, life’s ups and downs, busyness, struggles, or worries press hard against us, and interfere with any commitment to pray. It can almost feel like a battle to stand strong and keep on praying, to believe in the power of God’s work through us, in a world that can feel dark many days.
Maybe we don’t see the answers to our prayers coming quickly enough. Maybe we struggle with not even knowing what to say. Maybe we’re afraid or intimidated to pray with others.
Yet it’s in those very times of tension and struggle that we need, more than ever, to come together as one, unified, and strong.
And we can be assured, in those very times, that Satan is fighting the hardest. For he knows that’s when we have the greatest potential to make a difference in this world.
The enemy fights the hardest when he knows we’re making a difference. But we don’t have to let him win.
He knows our prayers are powerful because of the One we’re praying to. He knows we’re stronger together as we encourage one another on. He’s aware that we’re courageous and brave when we’re covering one another in prayer. He understands that the unity of believers through the power of Jesus Christ, is a force that can’t be reckoned with, for in our prayers we are a chord of three strands which can’t be easily broken.
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God Reminds Us That We Need Each Other
In Exodus 17, the Israelites were facing a fierce enemy. The Amakelites were approaching. They killed for sport and were on the attack against God’s people. Moses told them that as Joshua led the people in battle, he would go up to the top of the hill and hold out the staff of the Lord over them. And God’s Word tells us that for as long as his hands were held up, the Israelites were winning, but when his arms got weary, the enemy began to overtake them. So Aaron and Hur came, and held up his hands. One on one side, and one on the other. And a miracle happened that day. Even though all odds were stacked against them, the people defeated this strong enemy. For God is stronger than any enemy we face. He gave them victory, for they believed, “The Lord is my banner…For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.” (Exodus 17:15-16)
This story reminds us that some days, even the best of leaders may get weary some days.
Even those who know truth, even those who walk closely with God, who believe in Him and in His power, even they may get tired. None of us are immune. Life is just hard some days. And often there’s not even just one “big” thing, but lots of little battles that can drain us dry. Parenting, marriage, job, relationships, fears, worries about the future, experiencing loss, discouragement, illness, money problems – it all can leave us beaten down and worn. But, praise God, He gives us one another to help in times when we just feel like, “I can’t anymore…”
We’re all in this life thing together, let’s help each other today. Through our prayers, through our encouragement, kind words, and actions. Anything just to remind a fellow believer that you’re holding up their battle-weary arms. And that you’re with them. And God is with us.
We can lift up our hands, our hearts, our prayers, to the throne of grace, our Lord Almighty. He will give us strength, and bring victory, even when we feel outnumbered or too tired to keep pressing on.
There is great power when we pray together in His name. God promises that His presence is with us, and He is at work through our prayers of faith. He brings healing. He offers His forgiveness. He raises up those who feel defeated and hopeless. He fills us with His Spirit and brings boldness and strength, breaking chains and setting us free. He gives us peace and confidence in Him. He reminds us that we need each other; we are His family. There is unity, and we are stronger together than apart.
10 Verses that Remind Us of the Power of Praying Together:
There is the power of God’s presence in our prayers - “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)
God brings healing through His Spirit - “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:14-1)
God sets us free from chains and darkness - “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose.” (Acts 16:26-27)
God offers forgiveness and healing for our nation - “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
God brings boldness and unity through His Spirit- “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind.” (Acts 4:31-32)
He promises to hear us and provide for our needs - “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)
God blesses us with His peace, joy, and strength – “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:30-33)
There is a strong bond of community – “And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers…And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 1:13-14, 2:42)
God reminds us of the importance to pray for each other, to protect us from the enemy - “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)
God brings help and blessing to believers through our prayers - “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” (2 Corinthians 1:11)
The same power we see through God’s word, that broke prison chains, raised Lazarus from the dead, and parted the Red Sea; the same power that healed the blind man, and delivered those possessed from demons, that same power is at work still today. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
And God chooses to work through the power of our prayers. He knows our hearts, He hears our prayers, He understands our needs. It’s not about the words we pray, but about our obedience in just simply coming together to pray. There’s great strength in unity, in turning our hearts towards God, and praying His promises back to Him.
May we constantly be reminded of His call to prayer, to stand together as believers in Christ, to ask for God to heal our land, and strengthen His people. May we pray for all those in authority. May we pray for God’s miraculous intervening, for those who need to be set free, for blind eyes to be opened, and for many to see the power of our Lord as never before.
Keep on praying my friends. Lifting hands, lifting hearts, holding up one another’s arms. Our Mighty Lord is powerfully at work through it all…
Peace.
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