“What happens when saints pray is that the power of the Almighty is brought to bear on the one(s) for whom they are praying.” ~Oswald Chambers

Prayer: it is not always done alone, in secret, in the solitude of the closet, though this time is essential to an intimate relationship with God. The power of two or three gathered in prayer is a multiplied one whose unity of heart and soul enables the bearing of burdens and strengthening of spiritual endurance.

“The time we spend in prayer is my favorite…” I shared with a friend. She agreed and added, “Do you know how many times we have prayed together and received miraculous answers?” There is something emboldening to the soul (mind, will, emotions) of a believer about looking back on answered prayer. Have the answers always been our dictated desires? No–God is not a robot who dishes out precisely what we want–but the answer has always come, and it has always been the best possible result.

What grabbed my attention about this type of prayer (prayer with other believers) is it’s power to give courage and remove fear. Acts 4:23-34 we find Peter and John just released from the council for preaching the Word. Coming to the body of believers, they immediately enter into prayer for boldness. All of them have need, and there is only One who can supply it.

“…they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God…”

And look at what their faith accomplished: “And when they had prayed (a fervent request, making a need known earnestly), the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness” (vs. 31).

When is the last time you met your difficulties by praying with others? When you find yourself “up against the wall” in life, do you run to God’s provided “support team” for prayer…or do you resort to hopelessness, fear, discouragement, self pity…the list could go on.

Prayer is not an optional “side dish” on the menu of the Christian life. Prayer is the main course–absolutely needful.

The essential quality of prayer is faith–something we are sometimes hard pressed to find. Yet coming together with a body of like-minded believers brings the “boost” of faith we often need! Make prayer a priority with your family, your friends and especially those under your influence (younger siblings, disciples, etc.) Young people, there is power in a father’s prayer. Have you asked him for it? There is power in the prayer of two Christian friends, seeking the Lord’s will or His intervention, but do you stop to make time for it? Are you ashamed to ask for it? You may want to ask yourself who are your friends.

For the sake of your encouragement and the courage to live out loud for Christ, make prayer a primary in your life.

Neither then will any among you lack (Acts 9:34).

~Hannah