Q3. (Acts 1:14)
While we know that individual prayer is powerful (James 5:16b) …
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Jesus indicates that group prayer is even more powerful (Matthew 18:19).
"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
How would you describe what was happening with this "Fellowship of the 120"?
They were all united under one roof and praying together - there would have been a tight bond that would have developed between Jesus' followers and now there would have been more of a reason to stay together (to encourage each other, etc.) now that He was "gone" - no doubt they were fearful, as there were doubts and fears even when He was performing miracles and such on earth right in front of them. Was the appearance of the 2 men in white apparel while Jesus was ascending a coincidence? I don't think so, perhaps it was a confirmation that God knew the onlookers needed to re-emphasize the fact that Jesus was going to return to restore again the kingdom to Israel (vs 6 says they were asking and in vs 7 Jesus says it wasn't for them to know) - pretty awesome if that is the case - that God foresaw that need and sent 2 witnesses to confirm what Jesus had said He was going to do, but later!)
Have you ever been part of a group praying like this?
I have and it was very powerful and there were many answered prayers, but I have to confess it was many years ago - I have spent 20 years a prodigal outside the will of God, Jesus has drawn me back into the fold recently to which I am eternally grateful (I believe it was through my parents continuous intercessory prayer that helped, and I thank God for them too).
Do you value prayer enough to gather with others to pray?
I long for that fellowship again but with COVID it is difficult - I am currently joining in with an online group, am new to the city and looking for a home church to be with regularly - prayer is essential - Jesus prayed continuously with his disciples, for his disciples and for Himself. There is a need for spiritual battles to be won and group prayer strengthens our position against the wiles of the devil and binds us closer (there is strength in numbers) - we never know who may be encouraged and that is part of our mission here too - the lifting up of each other as Jesus commanded (love your neighbour as thyself) - we are one body in Christ (John 17:21 - Jesus prays that we all may be one referring not to an "organization" but a spiritually united body) and we owe it to one another and to Him - the author and finisher of our faith Paul in his letters to the churches began with "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you" (Colossians 1:3); "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers (1 Thessalonians 1:2) (meaning more than one person was praying for them, or so it seems)
How much of your church's "prayer meeting" is spent in actual prayer?
The online body to which I am tuned into on Wednesday nights, open with one to two hymns, a scripture reading and the rest of the time is spent, going over the needs of the small congregation, for our government, specific news concerns and I am looking forward to meeting them in person some day !