6 Benefits of Praying with Others (Part 1)

Praying together with other people, whether a spouse, child, or a friend, will bring a fresh color to our spiritual lives. Besides drawing us closer to God, praying together intentionally also strengthens our relationships with others. Regardless of whether our spiritual life is thriving or dry, praying together will give us new strength.

Is any one of you suffering? Let him pray! Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises! - James 5:13

Praying together is not always about who is helping whom. Praying together is not only done when there is a great struggle or a major request. The number of people praying also does not guarantee that the prayer will be answered.

So, what are the meanings and benefits of praying together with others?

1. Drawing Inspiration from Their Life

Whether we realize it or not, our lives are like open letters that can be read by others. Letters written by the Spirit of the living God in our hearts. Paul said that the lives of the Corinthian believers were like letters that could be read by many people. When they saw the changes in the believers' lives, they glorified God.

You are our letter of commendation, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. It is clear that you are Christ's letter... – 2 Corinthians 3:2-3a

Not only are they read by people outside the church, but fellow believers can also read one another's letters of life. Of course, this comes through getting to know each other more deeply through spending time and praying together.

Everyone, including those with simple lives, can very well become letters that inspire. In how they remain faithful in following God through all their limitations. How they strive to be a good influence on others without feeling inferior about their situation. How they keep their integrity when there is an offer to live comfortably through dishonest means. 

There is a saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." It means we should not look at people only by their appearance or by what is visible. When we pray together with others, we can see and learn from their lives more deeply. And from their life experiences, there will surely be things we can take and learn for our own lives.

On the other hand, we also should not be dazzled by or envious of people whose lives are abundant. Try listening to their story; we may be surprised when we learn of their struggles before reaching where they are now. Struggles that perhaps we ourselves would not yet be able to endure. 

By reading the letters of our brothers' and sisters' lives, our perspective will become more open. It is not impossible that we will feel ashamed for complaining about our lives. The point is, whatever someone's condition may be, surely there is something in them that can become an inspiration for us.

... Pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in your prayers with unceasing requests for all the saints - Ephesians 6:18 (TB)

2. Learning from the Way They Pray

One time Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him: "Lord, teach us to pray...” – Luke 11:1a

Hearing the disciple's request, the Lord Jesus then gave important points about prayer. Praise, petition, and asking forgiveness for wrongs and sins, these are three important elements in the prayer we now know as the Lord's Prayer. Even so, that does not mean we must pray in that order. We may still offer short prayers that contain only requests or thanksgiving. 

Just as Jesus' disciple asked to be taught how to pray, we too can learn from other people's prayers. We gain lessons when we listen to how someone prays with deep closeness and intimacy to God, as if speaking to a friend or a good father. If we happen to be rigid by nature, praying together with others can help us become more at ease in expressing what is on our hearts.

I was once surprised to hear a sister give thanks in her prayer for something that seemed unusual to me. She thanked God for her fingernails growing without being asked. But when you think about it, isn't that a blessing we enjoy without realizing it? Just as nails grow without our praying for them, our hearts also beat without being asked. What would happen if our hearts only beat when we remembered to pray for them?

Through praying together, I realized there are many things we can be thankful for in life. Not only health, food, or provision, we can also give thanks for the small things under God's control. We can even be thankful for the problems we face, because they make us more mature and strong.

3. Building Warm Brotherhood

Having friendly brothers and sisters at church is certainly a joy. But how much more beautiful it is if we have spiritual friends who strengthen one another. Not merely becoming friends who exchange jokes, laughter, or greetings, we also know what they are struggling with or dreaming about. More wonderfully, we can take part in praying for the struggles and dreams our brother or sister hopes to achieve.

We will not be quick to judge people (judgmental) when they do something that seems improper to us, because we know what their struggle is. We can become a good friend, reminding our brother or sister when they begin to forget their dream. Supporting them when they want to give up in their struggle. On the other hand, we also celebrate when their dream comes true. 

Through spending time and praying together, we can come to know our fellow believers more deeply, and warm brotherly relationships are formed. The sense of belonging in the community becomes stronger, because its members know, accept, support, remind, and rejoice together with one another. We can live honestly and be ourselves without having to fear rejection.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep! – Romans 12:15

Yes, this condition can only be created when there is deep mutual understanding and warm brotherly relationship.

There are still three more benefits of praying together with others. Come on, continue to this page! 

-

Church GKDI is currently present in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at Church GKDI Official:

WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

Related articles:

Inspirational video: