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Nehemiah 12:40 "So both companies of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God, and I and half the officials with me". 

 

Upon the completion of the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, Nehemiah, Ezra, the princes, the priests, the singers, the officials, and the people have gathered for its dedication. Nehemiah splits those gathered into "two great companies" who process in opposite directions around the wall to separate gates, ending in the house of the Lord, and offering sacrifice and rejoicing. (Nehemiah 12:31-43). 

 

I love being in church alone to pray. Each day on my daily walk I stop in, and the feeling of quiet and peace in the dim church with no one around but Him is incredibly comforting. But sometimes I have other company there, and when we commit to pray together, the feeling is different, it is electric. There is something about sharing prayer that calls down a whole different dynamic. Jesus said "where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20), and I can feel that when I pray with others.

 

It is incredible how powerful prayer is, we're tapping into the power that created the universe and holds everything in it in existence at all times. When we join with others in prayer it's like we create a circuit, the power flows between us increasing in strength because we have increased the load capacity by coming together.

 

This procession of praise organized by Nehemiah created a "power plant". That day "the joy of Jerusalem was heard of far off" (Nehemiah 12:43). We can have that powerful joy, too, or powerful consolation, or powerful peace, or whatever it is we need from our Creator by simply joining with others in prayer, creating a circuit with them.

 

 

(Hat-tip to my friend John for cluing me into this song!🙂)