Together like two peas in a pod
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Peanut butter & Jelly
Peanut butter & Jelly
A church in unity is a beautiful thing.
Christ shown us by example
TRINITY
Used imagery in His teaching
BODY
TREE
MARRIAGE
A church in unity is a beautiful thing
It’s more than just sticking together like peaut butter and jelly
we need to learn to be peas in a pod
in a prayer pod
because a family that prays together stays together
and so much more...
God’s people have been praying together since the beginning of time...
Genesis
To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
Genesis 4:26
Corporate prayer or praying together is a valuable work that every believer can participate in… and it will help us to grow in our faith
But doesn’t the Bible say not to pray in public?
“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.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Public prayers should be authentic, real, and from the heart. Our prayers are to be God-focused, not an attempt to convince people of our righteousness. After all, even public prayers are for the primary purpose of speaking to God, not men.
Corporate prayer or praying together is a valuable work that every believer can participate in… and it will help us to grow in our faith
Praying together teaches us about prayer...
But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Luke 1:
Jesus taught by example
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Matt 6:
and other times by praying with them
Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
we learn about how to talk to God in prayer
we can learn about desires & repentance
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Grow in confidence as we pray with others
“Plain and simple, the best way to learn to pray is to pray with others, especially those who have had their prayers shaped by the Scriptures. Listen for those around you who are acquainted enough with God in prayer as to regularly draw others into communion with him through their praises and petitions. Give careful attention to their approach to God, the kinds of things they thank him for and ask him for, and how they keep others in mind in the corporate setting.
And even beyond what we’re conscious of, we’re being shaped in profound ways for good as we join our hearts with others in prayer.”
What types of group prayers are necessary?
Prayer chain… over a specific need
whole church prayer
household prayer
together:
over meals, studies, safety,
As we learn to pray with others we will grow in confidence in our personal prayers
AND in our ability to pray with others or strangers
2. praying together creates godly unity
help believers to get to know one another better
help believers to get to know Jesus better
after Jesus ascended into heaven
gathered in upper room
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
they came together in unity but were encouraged and built up by greater unity through prayer
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
I believe that they got answers that they wouldn’t have otherwise got
Holy Spirit came upon them like a mighty rushing wind
and then they began to change the world
when we unify in Christ’s Name great things will happen...
pray in unity for healing
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Pray in unity for repentance...
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
3. Corporate or group prayer allows us to encourage other believers
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
By praying together for common needs, struggles, and times of celebration, we are able to encourage the other believers in our lives and motivate one another on to love and good deeds.
praying for non-believers has the opportunity to draw them to Jesus
praying together is an important part of our spiritual health
teaches us about prayer and builds confidence in our prayer life
communication with God
creates unity among believers
when godly unity happens it is often attached to the supernatural
amazing things happen when God’s people come together in unity
encourages other believers and draws non-believers
so why don’t we just pray together? those who are able and feel led to will you join me in prayer on the altar?