Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

The Importance of Communal Prayer in the life of the Church

Bible Reading: Acts 12: 11-16

Key Verse: Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” (Acts 12:11)

DEVOTION

Acts 12 emphasizes that even amid persecution, God is in control, offering deliverance and justice. Most importantly, it highlights the role of communal prayer in God’s sovereign plan. The fervent prayers of believers underscore the power of communal prayer in the Church.
In Acts 12, King Herod imprisoned Peter, intending to execute him, just as he had with James, to win favor with the Jews. Though Peter’s fate seemed sealed, the door of prayer remained open. The earnest prayers of the early church altered Peter’s outcome; God responded by sending an angel to rescue him.
Communal prayer stands as a strong defense against evil. An old poem reflects this power: “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.” United in prayer, the believers created a powerful force that led to God’s miraculous intervention. Today, we witness similar miracles in our church community when we pray together in faith, experiencing God’s tangible presence.
However, in modern society, prayer is often discouraged in schools and public spaces. One principal reportedly had a sign saying, “In case of nuclear attack, earthquake, or fire, the ban on prayer will be temporarily lifted,” reflecting society’s tendency to pray only in crisis. Yet, we should pray continually, relying on God in all aspects of life. Proverbs 15:26 says, “The Lord detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.”
The acronym PRAY—Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield—captures the essence of prayer. As John 14:13 says, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified.” Prayer is powerful, sustaining, and healing, as expressed in the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”


PRAYER
Dear God, we are in awe of your goodness and faithfulness. Thank you for teaching us to pray and giving us this beautiful access, prayer, to allow you to do what we cannot do for ourselves Father. We surrender our lives in your keeping and ask you to use us for your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A prayer prayed in faith can change life dramatically.

 

Ancy John
Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Houston

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more