The Bible tells us that the children of God express their faith through the prayers we pray for each other, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have receive a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Romans 8:15-17)
The fellowship of God’s people is identified by our praying together. The fellowship of the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray for one another, and when we pray for each other, Jesus Himself joins with us. I’ve heard a lot of “Abba Father!” being raised recently from people within our church as we have shared together in a profound prayer movement given to us by the Holy Spirit.
Lives have been blessed because the people of Grace are praying. Folks are recovering from surgeries and medical treatments. Family members are getting the medical care they have asked for and those who grieve over the loss of loved ones are encouraged. This praying fellowship is making a difference as we talk to each other about the deepest needs of our hearts.
Think about the potential of this kind of prayer circle. What if we added to our praying for the physical needs among us, prayers for the spiritual needs of people.
What if we added to this fellowship of prayer petitions for lost people we know?
What might God do if we added to the prayers we direct toward God the struggles people are experiencing with things like depression, heartache, brokenness, and other matters of the soul?
Listen again to God’s word, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of the righteous accomplishes much” (James 5:16).
What if we loved one another to the degree that we became honest with each other about the pain and suffering taking place inside our souls?
What if God raised the level of love and trust between us so that we could pray about the private matters of the heart?
Is it possible for the fellowship of God’s people to become so strong and so trusting that secrets are absorbed into a cloud of prayer and trust that cleanses, renews, and forgives?
I praise God that a fellowship of prayer has emerged at Grace. I pray that Jesus will keep it going and make our prayers everything He wants them to be.