In this lesson we will be studying about corporate prayer. Corporate prayer is made by the whole family of God, usually the church as a whole. It is very powerful because we are united in purpose and because of our unity in faith for what we are praying.

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"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:19-20)

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We see that the disciples were praying in one spirit as they waited for the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came and baptized them with fire. When they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire, they had the power to proclaim the gospel without fear. And they did it in several languages that those who had come from many places for the celebration there in Jerusalem, understood each one in their own language. (Acts 1:1-12)

There is much power when the people of God are united in prayer. We have another example when they were being persecuted and told by the religious leaders not to speak the Name of Jesus.

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"And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, 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." (Acts 4:23-31)

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The believers prayed together when they heard of the persecution and what had happened to Peter and John when they were arrested for healing a man. They asked God that they could proclaim the Word of God, the gospel, without fear and that God would extend his hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the Name of Jesus.

Another example is when of corporate prayer and miracles occurring is when the followers of Jesus were being jail and James the brother of John was killed by King Herod. When Peter was arrested and he was in prison, the disciples gathered together to pray. And God performed a miracle, freeing Peter without even the guard knowing. When he was released he went to the house where the disciples were still praying for him. Their prayers were constant and earnest and God sent an angel to deliver Peter.

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"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying." (Acts 12:5-12)

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Another example of corporate prayer is when Paul and Barnabas were selected to minister to the Gentiles by the Holy Spirit. The disciples were praying together. It was a group of prophets and teachers. And God spoke to them to separate Saul (Paul) and Barnabas for missionary work. And then they prayed for them by laying hands on them. The Lord can direct the church by speaking to the leadership when the church is united in prayer.

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"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:2-3)

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An essential thing in corporate prayer is that they are in agreement, in the same spirit. And Jesus promises that He will be there in their midst. Corporate prayers can reveal much in the direction that God wants the church to go and thus the church can miraculously accomplish much. If your church has prayer times, be encouraged to join and participate as a member of the spiritual family in that church. Cry out to God with your spiritual family for the direction God wants to take the church and for revelation of what God is doing or wants to do in the church.