Encouragements for Corporate Prayer
The following is a meditation given by Jordan Strand at a corporate prayer gathering of Emmaus Road Church on February 26, 2025.
Introduction
We want to be a church marked by prayer—both as individuals and as a community gathered together. It is most certainly true that apart from Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). We might busy ourselves with all sorts of good things—noble efforts, worthy causes—but if we rely on our own strength, those efforts will bear no lasting fruit. We are utterly dependent on the Lord to produce any real, enduring impact in our lives and in our church.
In preparing for this prayer gathering, I found myself convicted by and encouraged by a quote from A.C. Dixon:
“When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. And so on. But when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do.”
—A.C. Dixon
Prayer isn’t just a task—it’s an invitation to see God move in ways we never could on our own.
So, why do we gather to pray corporately? Is it not enough to simply pray on our own, in our personal time with God? Especially in light of what Jesus says in Matthew 6:5-6:
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
—Matthew6:5–6
On the surface, this text seems to oppose gathering for corporate prayer. However, Jesus’s teaching here does not prohibit praying together but warns against the sinful pitfalls that can accompany public prayer. For all its potential dangers, the value of gathering for prayer with other believers is hard to overstate. I have five brief reflections on the value of corporate prayer to encourage your faith and anticipation as we go to the Lord in prayer together.
1. Corporate Prayer Displays and Spreads God’s Glory
First, corporate prayer displays and spreads God’s glory. On the one hand, we can misuse corporate prayer for our own glory—to be seen and admired by others (as warned in Matthew 6). This is an evil trap and snare. But on the other hand, when we gather with other believers, there’s an opportunity to see God’s glory multiplied.
In 2 Corinthians 1:11, Paul writes,
“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 more people who are praying, the more people there will be to give thanks when they see the blessed result of that prayer. As thanksgiving increases, more people behold God’s glory on display. This is why Paul later says,
“For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”
—2 Corinthians 4:15
Think about it: if you’ve been praying for something personally and see God answer, you are filled with gratitude and give Him praise. This is good and encouraging to you individually. But if many people are praying together and see God move, that thanksgiving and praise multiplies. This is the privilege we have in corporate prayer—we ask God for many things together, and when He answers, many people give thanks, and God receives the glory.
God loves putting His glory on display for the good of His people, and that fills me with faith and anticipation for what He’ll do when we gather to pray.
2. Corporate Prayer Brings Unity and Releases Power
Second, corporate prayer brings unity and releases power. We pray to one God through one Savior, Jesus Christ, united by the one Spirit He has given us. Therefore, there ought to be a togetherness, or agreement, in our communal prayer.
In corporate prayer, we are speaking to the Lord in the hearing of other believers so that they can affirm and agree with our prayer. This means we’re not just waiting for our turn to speak but actively listening and following along with what others are saying. I am all too familiar with the temptation to tune out while others are praying, distracted by other thoughts or by planning what I am going to say next.
This ought not to be the case. Rather, as someone prays, we might offer a “Mmm,” a “Yes,” or an “Amen”—not as empty habits, but as signs of our unity and earnestness. When others affirm my prayers, it assures me they’re with me, interceding alongside me, not drifting off to sleep. And as Spirit-filled believers echo their affirmations, my faith is strengthened.
Scripture underscores this. In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus says,
“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 I am among them.”
—Matthew 18:19–20
God is always with us by His Spirit, but there’s a unique manifestation of His presence when His people come together.
3. Corporate Prayer Allows for Confession and Healing
James 5:16 says,
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
—James 5:16
This command to confess sin and pray for one another comes with the assurance of healing—whether physical, emotional, or relational. Coming together for prayer provides an opportunity to confess sin, share burdens, and ask for prayer so that God’s healing power is on display.
Conclusion
We pray not because God needs something from us but because we need Him. And He delights to display the glory of His grace by working on behalf of needy sinners like you and me.
Here are some promises from Scripture to cling to as we go to the Lord in prayer together:
Isaiah 64:4 — "No eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him."
2 Chronicles 16:9 — "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him."
Mark 10:45 — "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Acts 17:24-25 — "The God who made the world and everything in it… does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
The assurance from these verses produces a thrilling and freeing perspective as we come to pray. I am filled with hope to pray knowing that God is committed to glorifying His name by working on behalf of needy people. We are needy people. Because of Christ, our greatest need is met, and we have access to the God of all grace who is eager to work for the good of His people. What a privilege! So let’s gather, let’s pray, and wait expectantly for what God will do.