The Father's Menu

The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Saturday, July 18, 2020

UNITED PRAYER

United prayer is an important part of the church. This form of prayer is also known as Corporate Prayer. The early church met regularly to learn the doctrine of the Apostles, break bread, and pray together. When believers pray together power is birth and miracles break forth. Acts 2:43 “Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” (NIV) When we pray together with other believers, the effects can be very positive. United prayer edifies and unifies us as we share our common faith. Acts 2:44 “All the believers were together and had everything in common.” (NIV) In Acts 12, we see a practical illustration of the power of united prayer. Herod had killed James the brother of John, and saw it pleased the Jews, consequently, he sought to kill Peter immediately after Easter and the bible records that Peter was arrested, however, ceaseless prayers were made by the church on his behalf, and the miracle broke forth, and Angel of the Lord broke him out of jail and the gospel spread even further (Acts 12:1-25). There’s an untapped blessing in corporate prayer, take advantage of it!

Peter and John had been arrested and faced trial before the religious council in Acts 4, their lives were threatened, they whipped them, they were insulted and ridiculed and warned never to preach in the name of Jesus. They went back to the other believers, and told them what had happened. When they heard, they all prayed and growth was added to the church and mighty signs and wonders were wrought. In Acts 5:12, we see the result of that prayer “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade.” (NIV) The principal way to change the system of this world, is for the body of Christ to band together and pray. James 5:16 “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” (AMP)

Confession: In the name of Jesus, I decree from this moment forward, I see myself the way God sees me. I am highly favored of the Lord, I am crowned with glory and honor, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, I am reigning as a King in life through the one man Jesus Christ the Messiah!

Further Reading: Acts 4:

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

² Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

³ And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

⁴ Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

⁵ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

⁶ And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this...

                       Acts 12: 

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

² And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

³ And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

⁴ And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

⁵ Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

⁶ And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

⁷ And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands...

Read through the Bible: Judges 1 & Acts 5