“One shall chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight”. (Ps.68:35) I wonder if we, if I, have a tendency to undervalue or under appreciate the impact that two or more believers, who are united with one purpose and focused, can achieve in this world. We can easily get absorbed, even distracted, by only that which we can physically see and fail “to see” into the spiritual realms, into that which is as much a reality, or even more.

Acts 12 outlines a fascinating account of united and focused prayer. James, the brother of John, has just been put to the sword by Herod to appease the Jewish leaders who sought to stamp out this heresy, at least as they saw it. The increase of Christian believers was seen as a threat both to the religious and political establishment. Herod thought that if he cut off the head of the group (eg. apostles), then this new movement would scatter and be no more. James was to be the first of many who were to be targeted.

Peter was arrested next, scheduled to be executed the following day. Finding himself chained between two guards inside the prison and two guarding the door outside, he slept soundly.

The execution of James took the church by surprise. Not so when Peter was arrested. A prayer meeting was called that night at the house of John Mark’s mother. The people gathered; the people prayed. No one hour prayer meeting. No “let’s get this over so we can go out for a coffee or go home” mindset. No, they gathered for one purpose: to pray.and intercede.

Then it happened. That night, while Peter slept and they prayed, an angel of the Lord came and light filled that prison cell. The angel shook Peter awake, told him to get dressed as the chains fell off his wrists, the door opened and he followed the angel to the street where he was left alone, a free man. The church still prayed. We could focus on Peter’s surprise that an angel would come to him or the people’s surprise that Peter would be knocking at their door but miss the point. The church prayed: intense, longing, earnest prayer into the wee hours of the night.

“There is considerable truth in the idea that revivals are born after midnight, for revivals (or any other spiritual gifts and graces) come only to those who want them badly enough.” (Tozer: Born After Midnight).

The church’s power is in its prayer meetings, not its programs. The prayer meeting is often the most neglected ministry within the church, relegated often to a few saints who gather weekly, more out of duty than expectancy. Yet within those sacred halls, found in those sacred moments, the power of God is unleashed to “to open eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.” (Acts 26:18)

If one person praying can make a difference, what about two or three or more who are focused, earnest and direct. Never underestimate the power of corporate prayer. Find those who love to pray, those who love to intercede, those who will not let go until heaven opens to their requests. You won’t regret it.

Blessings!