Lesson 05 — The Power of United Prayer

Timeless Insights from The Early Church

Scripture:
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. — Acts 4:31-33 (NKJV)

When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there. — Matthew 18:19-20 (MSG)

Voices from the Past:
“You have need not only for secret solitary [times of prayer], but also of public united prayer. And our Lord gives us a very special promise for the united prayer of two or three who agree in what they ask… it is in the union and fellowship of believers that the Spirit can manifest His full power.” — Andrew Murray

The Sevenfold Impact of United Prayer!

First Impact: A Supernatural ____________

Scripture:
…the place where they were assembled together was shaken… — Acts 4:31 (NKJV)

I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory… The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house. — Haggai 2:7, 9 (NIV)

Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens… so that what cannot be shaken may remain. — Hebrews 12:26-27 (NIV)

Second Impact: A Supernatural _____________________

Scripture:
…they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… — Acts 4:31 (NKJV)

When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. — Acts 1:8 (NLT)

Voices from the Past:
“Jesus knew and spoke about the added power that comes when several are praying together. It is a most  glorious experience of spiritual power, and of fellowship together.” — Sam Shoemaker

Third Impact: A Supernatural ______________

Scripture:
…they spoke the word of God with boldness… — Acts 4:31 (NKJV)

Fourth Impact: A Supernatural ___________

Scripture:
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul… — Acts 4:32 (NKJV)

Voices from the Past:
“Nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together. Never do they love one another so well as when they witness the outpouring of each other’s hearts as in prayer.” — Charles Finney

Fifth Impact: A Supernatural __________________

Scripture:
…neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common… — Acts 4:32 (NKJV)

Sixth Impact: A Supernatural _______________

Scripture:
And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus… — Acts 4:33 (NKJV)

Power is Authority!

Scripture:
…I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. — Luke 10:19 (NLT)

Seventh Impact: A Supernatural ___________

Scripture:
And great grace was upon them all. — Acts 4:33 (NIV)

A literal translation reads: “…and God’s great favor was upon them all.”

Scripture:
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. — Genesis 6:8 (NIV)

A paraphrase of this might read: God liked what he saw in Noah!

The Noted Bible Teacher S. D. Gordon Said: “The great people of the earth are the people who pray. Prayer isn’t the only thing, but it is the chief thing!”

The real victory in all service is won beforehand in prayer. Service is merely gathering up the results.