Don’t Talk about It, Pray about It
During a sermon series at V1 Church titled “Upper Room,” several leaders taught on the importance of prayer in a Christian's life. In this segment of the series, a group of leaders focused on the critical role of corporate prayer within the church and in the lives of believers. Pastor Mary Duperval shared on the power of corporate prayer to break chains and bring healing in a time when people are prone to comment online or corporately protest before they pray.
The V1 Church New Jersey campus pastor began by warning believers against the lie that says that it’s ok to go alone. In the New Testament, we see that Jesus did not go alone. He intentionally found disciples. God incarnate, the savior of the World, saw it fit to model community, and as the biblical proverb teaches, there is extraordinary power in God when His people come together in His name (Deuteronomy 32:30).
“We are a greater force to be reckoned with when we pray corporately,” Pastor Mary stated.
The Power of Corporate Prayer
In Matthew 18:19–20 Jesus assured His followers that where two or three are gathered in His name, He would be in the midst. Oftentimes in gatherings, people used those moments as opportunities to bicker, complain, or gossip, but Jesus encourages believers to gather in His name, not in the name of anything else.
In the book of Acts, chapter 2, verse 42, we see that believers were in the upper room, PRAYING together in one accord. The result of their corporate prayer gathering was the presence of the Holy Spirit. Later in Acts 12:5–19, we see that prayer reached Peter in prison and loosed his chains. Scripture says, “Earnest prayer” for Peter was “made to God by the church.”
The church did not protest, they did not complain about policies; they united in prayer. Their prayers are what made the chains miraculously break.
“We spend more time protesting, discussing what we don't agree on, tweeting and not enough time praying. We talk more than we pray,” Pastor Mary declared.
Another Bible example is in the book of Jonah, The prophet is sent to Nineveh to warn the people of their evil ways. The people did not ask him to break down the prophecy, they didn't question him, they instead fell to their faces and prayed. From the highest to the least of them, they prayed. The people prayed in a way that moved their leaders to pray. In church today, many people are waiting to be led to pray by the pastor, or they are waiting for their government officials to mark a day of prayer. In Nineveh, however, it was the people’s prayers that moved their leader to pray. The result is described in Jonah 3:10: "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it."
Respond and Take Accountability
One of the most popular Bible verses that is often quoted when discussing corporate prayer is 2 Chronicles 7:14. The verse reads: "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."God sent this word to the people of Israel during a joyous time, while they were feasting, but God wanted them to focus on prayer.
God’s people must not forget who we are. God said if “My People” are to pray, not gossip, not lead a revolt, not carry on in the comments. Followers of God need to look like the early church, which devoted their lives to prayer.
The world's definition of humility is being lowly. The root word in Hebrew for humble is a very different definition. “Anava” is the Hebrew translation, which means to respond, to take responsibility and accountability.
How do you respond when the world doesn't look like you want it? It’s easy to pray and worship when things are going well but how do you respond when things are not going well?
“News flash if you don't like it, then you have to pray about it, and if you haven't prayed about it, you don't get the right to talk about it," Pastor Mary declared. "A lot of us want the promise without the responsibility, a lot of us want to eat up the fruit but not go through the process to grow the fruit."
The Pastor encouraged Christians to pray when they do not like something. There's something to be said about seeking. 2 Chronicles tells the people of Israel to turn from wickedness and to pray and seek. We do not stop seeking if we don’t find it in the first place we look for it, we keep looking until we find it. We must keep seeking the Lord until He shows up.
A lot of people want the promise without the responsibility. God’s promise was given after His people sought Him, prayed and turned from evil. It is time for God’s people to respond, take accountability when it comes to praying together!
About the Author
Jeannie Ortega Law is a chart-topping singer, evangelist, media personality and author from New York City. She can be reached on social media: @JeannieOrtega or emailed at Info@JeannieO.com
At V1 Church we believe in teaching Bible-based relationship principles so that you can your family can be strengthened. Connect with us using one of the links below – we’d love to see you and help you walk through the process of reconciliation.