The Power of Our
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What do Meriwether and William, Stan and Oliver, Ben and Jerry, John and Charles, Priscilla and Aquila, Richard Sears and Alvah Roebuck have in common? They all learned that by partnering together, they could accomplish much more than they ever could by themselves. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us how to pray with world-changing power, and also gave us great truths about God. (Read Matthew 6:5-18). Consider the first words in the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father.” Why did Jesus not say, “My Father”? Most Americans have the mindset of me and my. We are more individualistically oriented. Jesus told us to pray “OUR” Father. As we understand and incorporate the power of “our” in prayer, we will experience amazing things. Consider these four power points of “OUR” in prayer. |
First, “Our” reveals the PRIVILEGE of belonging to the family of God. Jesus invites you to be a member of His family. Some families on earth are thought to be of privilege and wealth. God’s family is the greatest family in Heaven and on Earth. Jesus invites you to become a part of His great family. By faith in Christ’s blood, you can experience the New Birth (John 3:13; 1:12), and experience the marvelous privileges of His family. (See Ephesians 3:14-21).
Humans were created with a need for family. God sets the solitary in families (Psalm 68:6). We are one Spirit and body. (See Romans 12, Ephesians 4). Normal, healthy families care and look out for one another. They have close family ties. Jesus teaches us to focus on “our,” not “my.” You will then pray with selflessness and compassion.
In one of His last recorded prayers, Jesus prayed for our “oneness.” It is an incredible prayer revealing the heart of God for His children, the body of Christ, the church. “Holy Father, keep them and care for them - all those you have given me - so they will be united just as we are…” “My prayer for all of them is that they may be one, just as you and I are one, Father - that just as you are in me, and I am in you, so they will be in us…” (John 17:11, 21 NLT). It is remarkable that God desires to dwell in you and you in Him. (See Revelation 3:20, Colossians 1:27). Jesus said pray “Our Father”. What a privilege!
Second, consider the PURITIY OF PEACEMAKERS. Whenever you are in one accord with others, you make a pure sound when you lift your voice together in prayer. We becomes like a trumpet that gives a clear, distinct sound, not uncertain (1 Corinthians 14:7-12). A symphony orchestra must be in tune and play in harmony to make beautiful music. So Jesus taught us to pray “Our” Father. Peace makers are of one accord, and pray with power. (See Acts 2:1; Philippians 2:1-3; Colossians 3:12-17).
Third, PARTNER OR PERISH. Jesus taught a powerful key to productivity. “I also tell you if two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in Heaven will do it for you” (Matthew 18:19 NLT). God even noted the power of the builders of the tower of Babel in their common language. (See Genesis 11:1-8).
Dr. David Cho pastors the largest church in the world. Early in his ministry, he collapsed behind his pulpit from exhaustion. God revealed to him while he was recuperating a good key to growth, Partner or Perish. Dr. Cho tapped into tremendous prayer and growth power by growing home cell groups throughout South Korea. Dr. Cho’s mentor, Dr. John Hurston tells about Dr. Cho in his book, Divine Desperation. In it he notes three reasons we need to partner with others: 1. I accomplish more. (See Leviticus 26:8; Deuteronomy 32:30). 2. I receive better support. (See Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12). 3. God has crafted us to need each other. (See 1 Corinthians 12:12, 14, 25-27).
When the early church was attacked and threatened not to preach any longer about Jesus, they gathered for a prayer meeting. Notice the result of partnering in prayer. “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spoke the Word of God with boldness. (Acts 31:32). When you partner with others in prayer, you experience God’s power anew. Note also the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Make sure to partner in prayer with the Holy Spirit. (See Romans 8:26; Jude 20, 21).
Fourth, consider the POWER OF AGREEMENT. Jesus promised, “If two of you agree… anything you ask… my Father… will do it for you.” (Matthew 18:19). There is awesome power in agreeing (harmonizing) together in prayers. Why? Jesus added, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20).
You can experience the power of “Our” when you pray the Lord’s Prayer in faith. Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20). Won’t you invite Him in today?
