Macaila Britton writes on the power of community, prayer, and the combination of the two, for Woman Alive magazine.
I was faced with a life-changing decision: to pursue path A or stay on path B. Both were positive experiences but drastically different. I was confused as to which God was calling me to walk and enlisted prayer support from a loved one. We sat down before a meeting and I shared what was on my heart and mind- the faithful aspect and how this could be an option God is presenting for specific prayers, I have prayer. On the other hand, it could be a test to see if I was giving in to the ideas, insecurities, and desire for security in guarantees instead of the Heavenly Father. I could argue how this supports either stance and my mind felt so foggy and confused. This trusted person and I hit pause and prayed. During this prayer I couldn’t help but feel disappointed and aggravated. I was coming before the Lord with prayer support and I felt that their prayers were so generalised as to almost be irrelevant to me or my situation. I was disappointed.
Nearly a week after this prayer I have come to realize the lesson in that moment- while it was not related to the decision I was praying for, it helped me see why prayer is so important and the additional layer of our prayer life. As Christ-followers it is essential to build a strong base in our faith through prayer not only for ourselves but for others. The body of Christ should be an example of Jesus and the goodness of the Holy Spirit. While we’re not perfect like He is, we embody aspects and a glimmer of the light too pure to be a creation of this Earth. When our friends, colleagues, community members, children – or even strangers have the courage to ask for prayer, it is important as Christ-followers to be able to understand the power this holds. We are not only approaching God and deeming wherever we are geographically a sacred space, but we are declaring God’s goodness over the issue, or questions the person we are praying has.
We can not offer the community and support God has intended us to give as his chosen people, to others, unless we first do the work ourselves and show up day after day after day for Him. In His word, God encourages us to pursue a prayerful community. Jesus says: “again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20).