Praying In CommunitySample

The Power of Prayer in Community

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.” It’s an intriguing statement. Some get fussy over this verse, objecting that because of the doctrine of omnipresence, Jesus is always with us, even when we’re alone. True enough. But then again, Jesus made this statement. Jesus apparently joins us in some special sense when we gather with other believers.

In the words directly preceding this statement, Jesus promised that if any two of his followers agreed to ask the Father for something, he would grant the request. The context is the church body coming together to help a brother or sister caught in sin. Such situations are difficult; it’s seldom easy to know how to proceed. When this happens, Jesus tells us to seek him out—not as individuals, but together. In these moments, he’s with us, and he’ll answer. 

Magic is said to work through impersonal formulas, rituals, and incantations. This is not that. Jesus is not describing some sort of magical ritual. Nevertheless, this is a scenario in which Jesus is promising a special aid to those who gather together to pray. 

What do we miss when we sequester ourselves within our own prayer regiments? How might we experience the working of God differently if we were to gather together with other believers and seek God’s face together? In what unique ways might we experience his presence if we join one another in desperately calling out to God for wisdom and guidance in impossibly difficult situations? There is only one way to find out. And unfortunately, this is one God-given promise that often goes untested.