How To Pray Corporately

As Christians, we are expected to pray to God and spend solitude with Him. Christians are expected to pray to God because God has commanded every Christian to pray. Another reason we ought to pray to God always is that we are in a relationship with God. Because Christ restored the peace between God and us, we can now approach God’s throne of grace and have a dialogue with Him. It is a privilege that we receive from Christ. We pray and spend solitude with God in our devotions, not just because He commanded it but also because it is something we delight in doing. However, we Christians are to pray not only individually but also corporately, meaning we are also to gather as a church community and pray together. We can see this through the example of the early church in the New Testament. They didn’t just devote themselves to the teaching of the apostles and the communion, but also when it came to praying together as a church community whenever they gathered. In Acts 1:14, it is written that the early church was devoting itself to prayer in one accord. Also, in Acts 2:42, it tells us that they devoted themselves to prayer, the apostle’s teaching, fellowship, and the breaking of bread. It tells us that God meant for believers to gather always and be in fellowship with one another. In those gatherings or fellowships, believers break the bread and also pray together as a church community. Corporate prayer is something that a biblical church does and a Christian partakes in if he or she is part of a church community, which every Christian should be.

Acts 1:14

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 2:42

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

What does it mean to pray corporately?

Corporate prayer is gathering together as a church community to pray for certain things. For example, if an election is about to take place, you as a church community may gather together in prayer to pray for the upcoming election. You can pray to God that the elected leader will lead with righteousness and not with dishonesty. There are many concerns and more significant concerns for which the church should always gather together to pray corporately. The New Testament has given us some examples; one is from Acts 12:5. Herod was persecuting the church at that time—killing James, the brother of John, with a sword, and arresting Peter. Knowing what happened, the church corporately prayed together to God for Peter’s well-being.

Another similar example is when Paul was writing to the church in Thessalonica. The apostle Paul asked the church to pray for him (and possibly his fellow workers) as they did their mission work and for the Gospel to be spread. We get from the examples that we have that whenever there are concerns at hand, Christians should not only pray to God in their devotion but do so as a church community—gathering together and praying for such things corporately.

Acts 12:5

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

2 Thessalonians 3:1

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you

Corporate prayer is also when the church gathers to pray for one another. That is why being in a church community and gathering together to pray benefits believers. Whenever believers gather together to pray corporately, they become encouraged and edified. If you are going through difficulties in life, it is encouraging to see your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ praying for you and carrying your burden as if it were their own. Gathering as a church community and praying together unifies believers as they are all part of one body, of which Christ is the head. That is why corporate prayer is essential to a church, along with other things like communion, teaching sound doctrine, worshiping together, etc.

Galatians 6:2

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

1 Timothy 2:1

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

What do you pray during corporate prayer?

You pray for what concerns you have as a church and the concerns of your fellow believers. One example is the situation we mentioned above. If there is an upcoming election in the nation, then praying for the nation and whoever the elected leader is could be one of the things that you pray for as a church community. Having said that, this means you should also pray for your nation and its government leaders from time to time as a church community. The Bible commands us to pray for all people, including those in the seats of power. 

1 Timothy 2:1-2

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Here is an example of how to pray for your nation and its leaders:

Sovereign God, You sit enthroned over everything on earth. You set up kings as well as dethrone them. I pray for our nation to become a nation whose God is You. I pray for the people of this nation that You would work in their hearts so that they may call out to You and repent. I also pray for our government leaders to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and repent. Give them the grace to always lead with wisdom and integrity. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

You can also pray for the missionaries sent abroad and doing missions in a country hostile to Christianity or a church there with which your church is connected. There are many things that you can pray for in this regard. One is praying for missionaries always to be bold and unashamed when preaching the Gospel. You can also pray for them to be fruitful in their ministry and that they endure and persevere no matter what hardships they go through. Praying with those ministers is also partaking in their ministry.

Romans 15:30

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

Ephesians 6:18-20

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Philippians 1:19

For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

You can use these examples as you pray for your fellow saints abroad who are going through persecution or the missionaries that your church has sent:

God of mercy, you are the God Who comforts us and gives us mercy in times of affliction. You are also our refuge and our fortress. I pray for our missionaries/churches abroad that are doing the ministry and preaching Christ to the Gentiles—that the Gospel they preach shall continue to spread and their works bear fruit. Protect them from anyone with evil intentions upon them and give them the grace to persevere and endure as they run the race that You have set before them. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

As a church community, you are also to pray for the concerns of one another. For example, if one of your brothers or sisters in Christ is going through difficulties in life, indeed that is something that you can pray for as a church. We weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Ephesians 6:18

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints

Let’s say you know of a fellow believer who lost his or her business and is upset. Here is a prayer that you can pray as a church for him or her:

Father in heaven, Your love is steadfast, and Your mercies are new every morning. I pray for name of the person, that You would comfort him/her as he/she goes through tough times in his/her life. Remind him/her that in the end, Christ is his/her greatest treasure and that in Him he/she is contented and has a joy that no one can ever take away. Thank You, because You are the one who sustains him/her and is faithful to provide. I pray that he/she will recover from this problem, be resilient, and never give up. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

If someone is sick, then healing is something that you can pray for as a church. The point here is that whatever concerns that your fellow brothers or sisters in Christ have, you pray for it as a church community. You pray to God as a church as if one member’s problem is also yours.

Corporate prayer is not just about praying for concerns or asking God for things. You must thank God corporately as a church. There are so many things that we can thank God for. The Bible tells us to rejoice always and give thanks to God in any circumstance. No matter what problems a church or its congregation is going through, there is always something to be thankful to God for.

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Here is an example of a thanksgiving prayer that you can pray as a church:

God of grace, You are the God Who sustains us. We wouldn’t be here praying to You if not for Your grace. Thank You for all the necessities that You have provided us, the needs that we had answered, and the food we ate. We also thank You for our new brothers and sisters in Christ who came to know the saving knowledge of Christ. Thank You for giving us the grace to persevere and for causing the ministry that we do to bear fruit. Everything is all because of Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

It is essential to keep in mind that the church community’s attitude before God when praying as a church is one of humility. In the end, we pray for not our will but God’s to be done (Luke 22:42). Believers don’t gather to twist God’s arm but to submit to God. Corporate prayer is when a church can pray in unity, encourage its members, stir up one another in love and good works, and be edified.