United prayer is a union of purpose

Have you ever in your life felt the power of a united prayer before?

Some years back, myself and two other friends decided to challenge God about a greatest need. We needed a crystal illumination of God’s word. The work of an evangelist was upon our hearts, and therefore, needed God to make His Word plain to us anytime we open it. We fasted for three days, and on the last day, we united in a night vigil of prayer. God did glorify Himself in our prayer. Our faith in God’s Word has grown stronger ever since. Besides that all three (of us) have become pastors. God answered our united prayer beyond expectation.

This experience is one of the most beautiful events in my life. God’s promise to answer our prayer is always valid, and He answers beyond our imaginable needs. Paul said, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3: 20). It is beyond the limits of our imagination that the limitless grace of God transports our deepest needs.

United prayer is a “union of purpose” to invoke all the promises of God into action. Our Lord Jesus said, “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst” (Mathew 18: 19-20). In a commentary, Ellen White wrote:

“Christ here shows that there must be union with others, even in our desires for a given object. Great importance is attached to the united prayer, the union of purpose. God hears the prayers of individuals, but on this occasion Jesus was giving especial and important lessons that were to have a special bearing upon His newly organized church on the earth. There must be an agreement in the things which they desire and for which they pray. It was not merely the thoughts and exercises of one mind, liable to deception; but the petition was to be the earnest desire of several minds centered on the same point” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 429).

Do you have any greatest need on your heart? There is power in united prayer. Get a prayer partner(s) and unite your heart in prayer. The same God of yesterday, is the same God of all-time.

Simple guidelines:

United prayer should have a specific purpose—What are you praying for? And why is it so important to you?
United prayer should have fasting—Do you find it difficult fasting? Try to set aside food and wrestle with God.
United prayer should be programmatic—Design a program to guide you. Set a specific time for prayer; it can be intervals of minutes or hours.
United prayer should end in praise and thanksgiving—Praise God for His unbroken promises. Thank Him in advance for an answered prayer.