We have the example of the early Christians gathering together to pray (Acts 4:23–31; 12:5; 21:5) to show us the value of praying together.
Praying together helps to grow our faith and to form and strengthen bonds amongst Christians. When we pray together, we confirm and grow our faith and that of others. First John 5:14–15 says, "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." When we come to God together in prayer, we demonstrate our faith that God hears us. We also share mutually in our requests and in our praises.
We are told to gather together to confess our sins and to pray for healing, both physical and spiritual restoration, for one another: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" (James 5:16). In prayer meetings we can also share our needs, prayer requests, and praises. Prayer meetings help foster an environment in which we can "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15).
When we are disconnected from other believers we endanger ourselves spiritually. When we are connected, we are strengthened. Galatians 6:1–2 says, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Meeting together to pray is one way in which we can bear one another's burdens.
We express and value our unity, which Jesus prayed for in John 17, when we pray together. Jesus prayed, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:20–21).
We know that prayer is a privilege made possible through Jesus Christ. There is no question that Christians are called to pray, both alone and together. Prayer meetings are one of the ways in which we can encourage and support one another in faith as we, in community, seek God through prayer (Hebrews 10:19–25; Ephesians 6:18).
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