Vision Logo Circle
Vision Logo Circle

When the Church Prays

by | Mon, Dec 14 2020

Text size: A- A+
[addthis tool="addthis_inline_share_toolbox_q56i"]
People holding hands praying

Author: Pastor Greg Laurie

I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.
– Matthew 18:19

Maybe you’ve heard the adage “the family that prays together, stays together.”

But did you know there’s actual data to support that? Researchers found that when a family takes time to pray every day, their family relationships tend to be stronger.

I think it’s good to pray with your family and to pray over meals. It’s good to stop and have a word of prayer together and to encourage all your family members to do so.

There’s also power in corporate prayer when we unite as the church. Yes, it’s good to pray by yourself, but it’s even better to pray with someone else. Jesus said, “If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.” (Matthew 18:19 NLT).

It matters when we pray together for something. In the Book of Acts, we find the story of Peter, whom King Herod arrested for preaching the gospel. Verse 5 of chapter 12 tells us, “But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him” (NLT).

We see from this verse that they prayed together (“the church prayed”), and they prayed persistently (“prayed very earnestly”). And the next thing we know: Peter was free.

The chapter opens rather ominously. We read that Herod is in power, and Peter is in prison. But by the time the chapter closes, we see that Herod is dead and Peter is out of prison.

That’s the difference prayer can make. It’s great when you can come to church and say, “I’ve got a burden today, and I’d really appreciate it if you would take a moment to pray for me.”

The church should be a loving place for hurting people, a safe place for sad people, and a place for unsaved people to be saved.

Listen to ‘A New Beginning’ with Pastor Greg Laurie weekdays on Vision Christian Radio.  Find your local times and more messages here.

This article originally appeared on Harvest.org and has been used with permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie, PO Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 USA

Photo credit: Shutterstock.com

More from Pastor Greg

What I Would Tell My Younger Self – Pastor Greg Laurie

Life deals us a hand we can’t control, but we can choose how we respond. Every trial we face can be transformative in the hands of God.

Why Does God Allow Suffering? – Pastor Greg Laurie

Why does God allow suffering? It’s a common question. But it can help us if we can see our pain through the eyes of God.