Praying with Others

Acts 12 gives us a powerful example of praying with others. Peter was arrested and put in jail. The believers were praying together for his deliverance in the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark. Rhoda, the servant girl, heard someone knock on the door. She asked who it was and found out it was Peter, freed by an angel sent from God. This was a direct answer to their prayers. But Rhoda was so shocked that God had answered that she left Peter standing at the gate. The other believers said she was out of her mind, but they eventually went to check, and there was Peter!

God commands us to pray together. Here are some thoughts about that.

Praying alone

But first, let’s look at what it’s like to pray alone:

• Praying alone is more personal because you don’t have to worry about other people listening.
• You can cry, be angry, or show other emotions in private prayers that you might not with others present.
• With no one else around, you are less likely to be pretentious.

Scripture commands us to pray alone as well as with others. But there have been times when I haven’t been able to “break through” a feeling, situation, or sin by myself. I needed someone else praying for me.

Every month, pastors in Hirakata, Osaka, and Kochi meet for what we call a ‘Fresh Encounter with God’ (the Fresh Encounter in Osaka proper is on hiatus now). This is a prayer meeting connected with the Prayer Summit for Western Japan. I have found this to be a valuable time.

At the Prayer Summit, when we need prayer from others we we put a chair in the middle of a circle (we call this “sitting in the Father’s lap”) so we can confess our sins, etc. and have others pray with us. Praying alone, we might not find release from a struggle. At those times, we need others to pray with and for us.

Praying with others

What are some other benefits of praying with others?

• It is easier to focus on praying and not let your mind wander.
• Other people have different insights, which can help you pray more effectively. You can “pray till you pray” as we often experience in our Fresh Encounters meetings.
• Your shared love for the person you’re praying for can deepen your prayers. You might feel empathy where there was no empathy before.
• If you pray conversationally, praying back and forth, you can go deeper into one prayer request.
• Your burdens are lifted and you have more joy.
• There is accountability for sin when you pray with others.
• You’re not as rushed when you pray with others, because you have set aside time to pray with them.
• You hear others’ prayer requests and can experience joy in the Lord when their prayers are answered, maybe even through you.

Jesus said, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst” (Matthew 18:20, NASB). James 5:16 tells us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another so that we may be healed. This means we must pray out loud. God promises to hear us when we do.

So, let’s pray with and for each other. God commands us to do so. But what if you’re afraid of praying aloud in front of others—especially in Japanese? Well, since God has told us to do so, He can help us do it. So let’s rely on Him. And you might be surprised to find out that people don’t care as much about how you pray as about the fact that you cared enough to pray with them. In fact, your stumbling prayers will come across as refreshing and sincere.