#1356. The church was praying together (1/10/25)
- Matt Beaney
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we begin our new vision series, Rivers.
Today, we reflect on how a healthy church is devoted to praying together and praying for one another—especially when faced with challenges.
You can listen to this devotional below
In John 7:37–39, we hear Jesus’ great invitation and promise:
‘“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”’ (John 7:37–38)
Our vision, based on Jesus’ invitation, is simple yet holds a powerful promise:
Bringing people to Jesus — Myself, One Another, Our Community.
This week, we are focusing on the One Another aspect, and today, let’s see again how Jesus’ church is called to pray together.
'After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.’ (Acts 12:4-5)
1. Christians and the church face many challenges
In our last devotional, we saw how God is building us together into a holy temple. But this does not mean freedom from difficulties. As this passage reminds us, we are in a fierce spiritual war. That’s why Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 6 to ‘put on the full armour of God’ and to ‘pray in the Spirit on all occasions.’
Our identity as God’s children and His dwelling place compels us, both in everyday life and in the ‘day of evil,’ to pray—especially together. In Acts, the church’s first instinct in times of persecution was not panic or retreat but united prayer. They sought God’s help as their priority. Personal prayer remains essential, but if we are to model ourselves on the early church, then gathering to pray together must be at the heart of our life and practice. Prayer together is not an optional extra- it is a vital key to spiritual health and breakthrough. Let’s remember and be convinced again that:
‘“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”’ (Matthew 18:20)
2. Do we believe prayer is vital?
Praying with our church family must be a vital part of our discipleship. If we rarely attend prayer meetings, or if prayer is missing when we gather with fellow believers, something is wrong. Do we truly believe in its power? We can easily make excuses - and sometimes they’re valid - but at the end of the day, we all make time for what we value most.
The Roman army gives us a vivid picture of what it means to pray together. Their soldiers locked shields side by side, forming a solid wall of defence. At times, they raised them overhead in the testudo (“tortoise”) formation so that arrows and stones could not break through. In other moments, they advanced in a wedge formation, driving forward as one to break enemy lines. The strength of the Roman legion was never in the individual but in their unity, discipline, and commitment to stand together.
In the same way, the New Testament church prayed together constantly - shielding one another, advancing the gospel, and breaking through spiritual opposition. This account shows us that they truly believed in the power of united prayer. The question is: do we? Do I?
When we come together in prayer, we lift our shields for one another, advance the mission of Jesus, and experience the power of God in ways we cannot on our own.
Response
The enemy, our flesh, and the pressures of life will always try to keep us from praying together.
Today, let’s honestly ask: Do I believe that prayer is truly vital for me and for my church?
How can I take steps to reflect the description of the early believers:
‘They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.’ (Acts 1:14)
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
As we’ve shared throughout our vision series, one very practical way to encourage one another in coming to Jesus personally is to ask, when we gather:
“How has God been speaking to you through His Word this week, and how has it helped you?”
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Rivers Vision Series, #4
On Sunday we continued our vision series, Rivers. Our vision at CCP is simple:
Bringing people to Jesus – Myself, One Another, Our Community.
This vision flows out of Jesus’ invitation in John 7:
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’” (John 7:37–38)
Discuss
As we finish our vision series, how does coming to Jesus lead to the Holy Spirit’s life and power overflowing through us into our communities?
On Sunday, Nev spoke on “Bringing One Another to Jesus.” Our vision for this is captured in the following statement:
'We have an Acts 2 vision of church: devoted to meeting together, encouraging one another, and keeping Jesus at the centre of our lives.'
Why is fellowship so vital for our spiritual health and for the mission Jesus has given us?
Our church’s goal is this:
'We are devoted to making our Community Groups places where we encounter Jesus together, encourage one another, and grow in love. In the busyness of life, committing to meet weekly sets the essential rhythm for this devotion.'
How can you and your group take practical steps to deepen love, fellowship, and encouragement within your group?
Prayer
Pray for yourselves, your group, and our whole church family—that we would live out Jesus’ great command:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34–35)
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