Intercession: The Throne Ministry # 14

Corporate Continuing Prayer

In the New Testament, our brethren knew the reality of what it was to intercede "with thanksgiving" -

Jude: "Earnestly contending for the faith," prayed .. "Now (right now while in the midst of contending ...) Now Unto Him that is able to keep ..." (verse 24).

John: on the Isle of Patmos, realizing the magnitude of God's judgment said, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus ... Amen" (Revelation 22:20, 21).

Peter: encouraging his persecuted brethren, and facing death himself, triumphantly prays, "To Him = His Is (which is stating a fact, not a wish,) His Is the Might Unto the Ages of the Ages: Amen" (1 Peter 5:11).

Paul: realizing his kinsmen after the flesh were cut off (later to be restored) so "that He (God) may show mercy to all," prayed, "Because of Him and Through Him and To Him are all things; To Him be the Glory Unto the Ages: Amen" (Romans 11:36).

Paul: later from his prison cell, with his heart throbbing with the Glory of the Great Mystery cries out, "Now to the One being able beyond all things to do super-abundantly of which we ask or we think according to the power operating in us, to Him [be] the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus unto all the generations of the Age of the Ages. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20, 21).

The Value of Corporate Prayer

Dear ones, just as individual prayer puts a thousand to flight, so two will put ten thousand to flight; therefore, the most effective prayer is the corporate, united prayer of the Body of Christ. Corporate prayer does not necessarily mean that we have to be in the same locality. When any two, or more, of the Body are united in the "one Spirit," that is, when they are united in motive, object, and purpose for the FULL PLAN of God which is expressed in Christ Jesus, then effective corporate is being offered. They can be "separated upon the wall" - for "the work is great" - but united in prayer for the glory of God" (Nehemiah 4:16-20).

Toward the end of their earthly walk together, Paul and Timothy were examples of those who are "separated upon the wall" for the work's sake. Paul was in prison, penning the Holy Writ, and Timothy was at Ephesus, standing against that which could dilute the Church. Although in separate locations, both were united "in Spirit" in order that Christ be "All, and in All."

Corporate prayer is when two or more of the Body of Christ, regardless of locality, are united in the one Spirit, laboring together in prayer for the will and purpose of God as expressed in the Word of God. 

~T. Austin-Sparks~

(continued with # 15 - "If Two (Or More) Agree")