If Two or Three Agree

“Lord, we worship You because You are holy!” Enthusiastic voices chorused amen!

“Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your mercies, which are new every morning!” Amen!

“Jesus, I just want to say . . . ”—long, thoughtful pause—“You are my best friend!” a child finished joyfully. Soft “ahhs” and many enthusiastic and hearty a-a-a-m-e-n-s echoed around the room.

“Father God, we praise You that while life can be scary, we don’t need to fear, because You are still on the throne!” Amen! The crowd affirmed again.

“Jesus, we just love You!” a man spoke softly, obviously choking back emotion. “We don’t know how to say it properly, but we just really, really love You!” More amens, and even a few sniffles, as people wiped tears from their eyes.

On and on the united prayers moved around the large room, sometimes bursting forth with joyful spontaneity, and at other times spoken more intentionally and thoughtfully. Songs of praise mingled with the beautiful, heartfelt prayers.

Nearly 1,000 of us were pressed together, enjoying the beautiful experience of this 6:00 a.m. united prayer meeting. Most in attendance were young people, and despite the energy and enthusiasm of the large group, it wasn’t chaotic. The room felt alive and full of the Holy Spirit, and all sensed a deep, sweet harmony and peace.

As I listened to the prayers continue, my mind drifted back over the years to when my own united prayer journey really began.

Every True Revival Starts With Earnest Prayer

A small group of us were starting a Bible conference, and a ministry partner suggested that we encourage everyone to meet at 6:00 a.m. for united prayer before the main meetings began. I believed in the power of corporate prayer, but inviting everyone to a 6:00 a.m. prayer meeting seemed a little extreme.

United prayer happens when at least two or three (or more) pray together in unity, with one heart and one focus.

“Don’t you think that’s a bit early for people to come pray?” I questioned hesitantly. “I don’t think we will get much participation.” But my teammate insisted. So we gave the invitation.

The first morning 20 people came. The next, 30. By the fifth morning we had more than 100 gathering to pray. In awe my teammates and I watched as the Holy Spirit began to transform hearts. I saw grown men weeping, people humbling themselves before God and before each other. I listened as young children, with their sweet, innocent prayers, chimed in with the adults. Tears came to my eyes as we saw marriages on the brink of divorce healed, people delivered from addictions and enemy strongholds, and others putting away bitterness and pressing together with heavenly love and joy. That was only the beginning.

As God pulled me into full-time prayer ministry, I saw revival take place as people of all ages and cultures, in large groups and small prayer circles, were changed through the power of united prayer.

J. Edwin Orr, a historian on worldwide revivals, stated: “No great spiritual awakening has begun anywhere in the world apart from united prayer—Christians persistently praying for the revival.”[1]

Aren’t you thankful that God didn’t tell us we must have 200 or 300 people together before He will listen to our united cries? All He asks is for two or three.

One of my favorite quotes on the topic of united prayer comes from Ellen White. She writes:

“We are encouraged to pray for success, with the divine assurance that our prayers will be heard and answered. ‘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. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Matt. 18:19, 20, KJV). . . . The promise is made on condition that the united prayers of the church are offered, and in answer to these prayers there may be expected a power greater than that which comes in answer to private prayer. The power given will be proportionate to the unity of the members and their love for God and for one another.”[2]

Read that last part again. Unity and love are the keys to powerful, effective prayer!

Definitions and Function

So what is the definition of united prayer, and how does it work?

United prayer happens when at least two or three (or more) pray together in unity, with one heart and one focus. It’s not about accomplishing personal prayer agendas (although personal prayers may be offered), but more about uniting in prayer together for God’s agenda: putting away self, experiencing heart transformation, salvation for the lost—think of the upper room experience preceding Pentecost.

United prayer should be a group conversation in which no one is forced to pray, and all ages can take part as the Holy Spirit leads. God’s Word should always set the prayer focus!

In my book Daring to Ask for More I share the following:

“One of the most important keys to receiving answered prayer like the men of old is actually learning to pray in accordance with God’s desires. We find God’s desires revealed first and foremost in His Word. It is through His Word that He reveals Himself to us, it is through His Word that He speaks to us, and it is His Word that gives foundation to our prayers. It is only by being rooted in His Word that we are safe, and it is only when we are rooted in the Word that the Holy Spirit can truly teach us how to pray.”[3]

There’s really no right or wrong way to incorporate united prayer into your life.

Ellen White confirms this. She writes, “If we will draw nigh to God, He will draw nigh to us, and His glory will go before us. He will indite our petitions, teaching us to ask for the very things that He has pledged Himself to bestow on us.”[4] Indite is a legal term that means that He is going to arrange things in such a way that the answer will be yes.

Practical Tips

Here are some practical tips for leading united prayer in a home or church.

1. Prepare your heart. It is critical that you, as the prayer leader, come to the prayer meeting spiritually prepared, with a heart emptied of self and filled with the Holy Spirit. If you wait to prepare until the last minute, you will not be as effective as the one who has taken unhurried quality time with Jesus.

2. Model reverence. When we pray, we are approaching the throne room of the King of the universe. Lead others by your example to behave reverently in both word and manner.

3. Encourage people to press close together so they can hear and be heard. Before the prayer begins, remind everyone that this is a “group conversation” with God. Everyone can participate.

4. Instruct everyone to keep their prayers short and to the point.Generally, one or two sentences are adequate for each prayer. Of course, people can pray multiple times, as long as everyone gets an opportunity.

5. Pray more, talk less. Satan is thrilled if he can keep us talking about our prayer needs instead of praying about them. Encourage people to simply voice their petitions to God during the time of supplication rather than discussing requests beforehand.

6. Start with praise and thanksgiving.Include time for heart searching and corporate confession[5] before focusing on the main theme of the united prayer. This might feel awkward at first, but it helps prepare the way for intercession (see Ps. 100:4 and Isa. 59:1, 2).

7. Don’t be rigid. Let the Holy Spirit lead. Sometimes you might feel impressed to spend more time on a specific theme. Other times the Holy Spirit might be impressing the group to surround someone who is hurting. Listen to God’s voice. Don’t feel the need to always fill the air space. Periods of silence in the prayer meeting may feel awkward, but the Holy Spirit uses these times to speak to hearts or give the more timid a chance to pray.

8. Incorporate songs and scriptures throughout the united prayer service. Ellen White tells us that “singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer.”[6] There’s nothing so beautiful as a prayer session in which the group bursts into a united song of praise.

9. Be consistent and intentional! If possible, meet regularly to pray, and keep praying until you see specific prayers answered. If praying in person is not always possible, meet on Zoom or have a conference call. With today’s technology there are many options.

10. Finally, encourage people to share their testimonies as they see God working,so that more people will be encouraged to join the prayer meeting.With God’s blessing, the united prayer sessions will grow.

United prayer can be hosted in a variety of ways: from being incorporated into the weekly prayer meeting, to designated prayer times before church or after potluck; from family prayers during the week, to small Bible study groups. If someone needs a group to join, invite them to visit the 24/7 United Prayer ministry at 247unitedprayer.org.

Remember, as long as we have humility, a sincere heart for God, and our prayer activities are founded on the biblical principles of Scripture, there’s really no right or wrong way to incorporate united prayer into your life. The main point is that you get together and pray!

Hudson Taylor once said, “When we work, we work. When we pray, God works!”

For more tips and tools on how to lead united prayer, download the Praying for Rain: A Mini-Handbook to United Prayer booklet.

[1] In J. Oswald Sanders, Prayer Power Unlimited (Minneapolis: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1977), p. 120.

[2] Ellen G. White letter 32, 1903, in Manuscript Releases (Silver Spring, Md.: Ellen G. White Estate, 1990), vol. 9, p. 303. (Italics supplied.)

[3] Melody Mason, Daring to Ask for More (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 2014), p. 42.

[4] In General Conference Bulletin, Apr. 2, 1903.

[5] Private sins should be confessed privately.

[6] Ellen G. White, Child Guidance (Nashville: Southern Pub. Assn., 1954),p.523.