Do you find it easier to pray with others or alone? I wrote of corporate prayer in Transformation: A Community Who Agrees, the 5th installment of my series. There is definitely value in praying with others, and if you can achieve unity and agreement, you’ve unleashed answers heading your way.
Praying All By Your Lonesome?
However, I would venture to say, the majority of our prayer lives are spent praying alone. After all, if we are to follow the admonition of scripture, we are to pray without ceasing; or, be in an attitude of prayer throughout our days. We’re often alone when praying in our vehicles on our way to the next thing. In the middle of the night, we might be praying when the family is sleeping. Maybe we live alone and there is no one to join in with the prayer God has laid on our heart at the moment.
There are rewards promised for praying alone.
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:6 NKJV
God notices what we do. So many times, we think we need to make a production of our efforts, but He knows every detail of our lives. He promises public rewards for those who spend time in the secret place with Him.
Safety in the Secret Place
There is no safer place to be than under God’s protection.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Psalm 91:1NKJV
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Eugene Peterson translated the shadow of the Almighty, Shaddai’s Shadow! I love that! I’ve heard it said that in the original language, Hebrew, El Shaddai means “The God Who Is More than Enough.” If you are hanging out with the God who is more than enough, don’t you think He can direct you in your prayer life?
I also think God keeps His warriors safe because they have an important job to do. Keeping the saints covered in prayer is important because He is empowering them to do even greater works that Jesus did when He was on the earth.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
John 14:12 New American Standard Bible 1995
Where is the secret place?
The secret place is anywhere you can be alone with the Lord. Sometimes people have prayer closets, or inner rooms, where they shut the door and it’s just them and Jesus. It could even be sitting on a park bench or driving in your car. Sometimes, moms must lock themselves in the bathroom to have some alone time. I’ve found help and healing laying on the bathroom floor more than once.
In conclusion, whether you can bind together with a friend and pray in agreement, or if you can have alone time with the Lord and pour out your heart, the important thing is you’ve made time for prayer. If it’s your heart to be a prayer warrior, you must fully engage with your Commander. It’s vital! Your prayer might be the one prayed with faith that makes all the difference.
Congratulations, you’ve made it to the 16th day of my Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior series. For 28 days, we are examining truths about spiritual warfare, corporate prayer and praying in agreement and learning to apply them to our lives.
I don’t pretend to know all the answers. I’m going to be thinking with my fingers, so to speak, as I process what is in my heart about these topics after reading the word and praying for discernment.
You can go here to see each post I will be making on this topic.
Today’s question for your consideration: Do you remember some of the things Jesus prayed?
PREVIOUS POST – Transformation: Beautiful Intercession
Sharing at Anita Ojeda’s 2023 Write 28 Days Challenge, Tune In Thursday, Grace at Home