Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
–1 Peter 4:7-8
In the quiet of your heart, can you hear the orchestra? The richness of sounds blended into one? A symphony has the ability to lull a crying baby or bring calm in the midst of a storm. Many times when played alone, instruments sound out of tune or off key. But when played together, they create beautiful harmony, each musical instrument complimenting the other. The music inspires, soothes, and even mesmerizes the soul.
1 Peter 3:8 says, All of you live in harmony with one another. This word harmony in the Greek means of “one mind, one passion.” This is actually a combination of two words, which gives the idea of rushing along, together in unison. Like with music, a number of notes played at the same time are different, but harmonize in pitch and tone. They captivate the audience from the first note.
This is a picture of the body of Christ when we are of one mind. As a famous concertmaster directs the symphony, so the Holy Spirit blends together the prayers of the saints. God desires for His children to pray together and make beautiful music through their prayers.
I love that 1 Peter 3:12 says, For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer. As the leader of the first church in Acts, Peter grasped the importance of coming together to lift praises and requests to the Lord. We should live out this example in our own lives.
Why do we make corporate prayer a last resort? Over and over, God's Word gives us examples of believers coming together to pray, and God answering those prayers. God calls us to pray! This is exciting. God gives us an opportunity to participate in eternity with Him, through prayer.
At the end of one of my speaking engagements, a woman waited until most of the ladies left the venue. With slumped shoulders and a whisper to her voice, she asked if she could visit with me for a few minutes. I said, “Of course!” In our conversation she opened a dark closet of her soul—a place she’d hidden for years. Grabbing her hands, I asked if I could pray with her, and she agreed. A sweet union immediately formed. The harmony of that prayer still plays in my heart.
A few weeks later I received an email from her. She explained how sharing her dark secret opened the door to freedom. The chains that once held her captive were broken. She went on to say when I was praying with her, she literally experienced that dark area being filled with the Light—Jesus. Prayer opened the door for freedom from the dungeon of despair.
Praise God for the blessings of corporate prayer. Let’s pray together! Don't miss the blessings of drawing nearer to God and other believers as you create beautiful prayer melodies together.
PRAYER CHALLENGE
Please read 1 Peter 3:8-12 and 1 Peter 4:1-12. Ask the Lord to lead you to a group of believers you can pray with on a regular basis. If you are afraid to step out in this way, ask God for courage. When you need prayer for a situation, ask Him to direct you to one or more prayer warriors. Oh, the harmony of the saints coming together blesses the soul!
