Bushiri column ‘Bible Up-Close’: The significance of collective prayer

When was the last time you prayed with you family and when last did you invite other relatives, friends, co-workers or schoolmates to pray together? As we seek God more and more, we come to the conclusion that we do not seek Him alone, but with other for the promise of eternal life is greater, important for all.

It is important to dedicate time, praying together with others and share the joy of speaking and being close to God collectively.

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  Matthew 18:20

In as much as we need private time with God by praying alone, we should also comprehend the fact of togetherness in the Lord. Corporate prayer opens up your heart to the needs of others. Not only does it bring encouragement, repentance, edification, joy, and the feeling of love among believers, but it shows togetherness and the body of Christ working together submitting to the will of God.

This act of praying together brings us into God’s presence in a fuller dimension than when we pray alone.  There’s a reason why Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a banquet, rather than a table for two!  Life’s important experiences are meant to be shared. When you are together in prayer, each member of the family learns what it means to be intimate with God

To say this differently, prayer is vital because it provides a practical demonstration of the importance of faith. Indeed, praying together is one of the most critical things you can do to pass your convictions on to the next generation. Kids need to see genuine faith acted out in their parents’ lives.

Though there may be but many voices, there is divine unison when saints gather together to pray. The Bible records in Acts chapter 2: 1-4.

“1 -When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2- Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 -They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

Through their gathering together, the manifestation of the Holy Spirit was activated. Encounters and divine meetings with the supernatural occur when saints gather together and cry out in one voice.Each of us has a unique way of praying and praying together brings a new voice to the need and brings about a unique level of anointing.

When people gather together to pray, it gives a deep feeling of belonging to each individual.You could think of it as team work, such practices bring with them a new level of strength and confidence.When you are part of a group, you feel that you are a necessary part of a greater purpose. A means to a greater end, it is this very motivation and satisfaction that strengthens a believer to push further and do better.

Praying together opens your heart to the needs of the people around you and reminds you that sometimes you can be the answer to someone’s prayer. There is a type of anointing that comes when a person can stand as an intermediate to pray for someone else,this selfless act allows God to remember you as you have remembered others. That is why I always urge people to pray in number, for just as the common saying goes, there is POWER in cooperation!

• Prophet Bushiri is the leader and founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church