When God’s People Pray Together

When Samuel assembled Israel to return to the Lord and repent of idolatry, the Philistines heard about this and came up to attack them. Israel told Samuel, ‘Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.’ (1 Samuel 7:8). Their prayers not only resulted in the defeat of the Philistines when the Lord threw their army into a panic but also increased Israel’s territory and brought greater peace (‘the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading’).

A vast army was coming against the people of Judah, so they gathered together and king Jehoshaphat led a prayer for deliverance (2 Chronicles 20:5-12). Their prayers not only resulted in victory against their enemies but also so much plunder that they weren’t able to carry it all.

To stop the annihilation of her people, Esther asked that all Jews in Susa pray and fast for her before she risked her life to come before King Xerxes (Esther 4:16). Their prayers not only resulted in the death of those who were conspiring against them but also increased blessing and protection for Esther and her fellow Jews.

There is great power when God’s people pray together! As we see from these stories, God not only answers our prayers (often in ways we don’t expect), but he also gives us more than we asked for. It was so exciting to witness what God did this past Sunday, and we believe the rushing water of blessing he has promised us these past years continues to increase. Join us for the week of prayer starting on Sunday - we want all God’s people in Bognor to enjoy the flood of increased blessing, so more people will come to faith in Jesus!