The Power of Corporate Prayer

Does It Really Matter If I Participate in My Church’sTimes of Praying Together?

What Is Corporate Prayer?

Is it simply a church prayer meeting?

Is it what the pastor prays on Sunday morning?

Is it what we do in small group when we pray for each other?

Ezra 8:21-23

“There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road because we had told the king, ‘The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his anger is against all who forsake him.’ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”

Ezra 8:21-23

1. God is our only solution.We are admitting that we need Him to

intervene. We cannot do it ourselves.We even put ourselves in that position

(become faith-filled risk takers).

Acts 12

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.. . . He went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.” (Acts 12:5, 12)

Acts 12

1. God is our only solution2. One Voice

Church was together3. One Focus

Not praying about everything under the sun.

2 Chronicles 6, 7

“Now arise, O LORD God, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your

might. . . .” (2 Chronicles 6:41-42). “When Solomon finished praying, fire came

down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. The priest could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it.” (7:1-2).

2 Chronicles 6, 7

1. God is our only solution2. One Voice3. One Focus4. Invoking the Presence of God

We are inviting God into the situation

Acts 1:14; Acts 4:31-32

“They all joined together constantly in prayer.” (Acts 1:14a)

“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 4:31-32a)

Acts 1:14; Acts 4:31-32

1. God is our only solution2. One Voice3. One Focus4. Invoking the Presence5. Praying in “One Accord”

Their hearts and minds were united. There was the sense that they knew what they were praying toward.

Jeremiah 29:11-13Corporate Verses

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Why You Should Make Every Effort to Take Part

It adds strength to the “One Voice” of this church10-15% of a church is not a corporate voice.

It will change you!The more we pray together, the more our minds and hearts unite.You will grow more in your personal prayer life as you pray with others.

The Presence of God in the midst of a church is directly proportional to the amount of prayer.