What is the point of praying with/for someone if they pray anyway?

Question

If God is omniscient and the prayer is righteous, it shouldn't matter how many people ask it. One ought to be enough.

Is there any point to praying the same thing for/with other people or is the replication just something social?

Okay, 'two or more' means that only two are actually required, and that any more should yield the same result as two.

Yet, there is anecdotal evidence that when large numbers of people pray, results are considerably more likely. I believe that prayer is all in the mind, and this mass effect bears out my belief.

Oops, for 'anecdotal' read 'circumstantial'

Hmm, I can't pick a best answer - so many are good ones and I don't want to dismiss a good answer I don't agree with. I'll leave it to the community. Have at it.

Answer 1

Your point makes me think of an illustration. You seem to be specifically referring to prayers that are a petition for favor or for help. If someone put together a petition to the government for favor or for help, just one signature would not ring as loudly to the person for whom it was intended as thousands of signatures would.

The scriptures explain "your heavenly father knows what you need before ever you ask him." Our prayers are an evidence of our faith, they draw us close to God as conversing with other humans does. God wants people to worship him out of love. Our earnest prayers for ourselves and for others are an expression of our love both for God and for our neighbors, whomever they may be. They warm God's figurative heart and therefore we deepen our relationship with our heavenly father.

Answer 2

Praying with others brings the presence of Christ.
Praying with others brings the healing of Christ.
Praying with others brings the power of Christ.
scripture shows us several ways.

Matthew 18:18-20
"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

James 5:13-16
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Answer 3

Prayer is powerful and the more we pray together the more powerful the prayer and the more God listens. Its like the old saying, families who pray together stay together. Take care Heather

Answer 4

I know several do not like Bible verses that answer questions. But, as Christians we do believe as the Word says that where two or more are gathered in the Lords name there He will be. There is a power in praying together.

If you don't pray and if you don't believe you will not understand . . . .

Answer 5

You got the right idea But think
In Gods "omniscient" the mere thought of good will to another must be instantly acknowledge by him
So a simple I hope Mary is ok should do.
Rosaries, novenas, pilgrimages, supplication, chanting, banging your head on the ground, all that show off holy dung is nothing.

Answer 6

There certainly is a reason,and it is social GOD wants a relationship with each of us whether we are in a group or with another person with a similar interest in a particular point of CONVERSATION WITH our God. As His Spirit is with with us at all times it is certainly natural to be in Conversation with Him. How wonderful that He can be in a personal relationship with millions and be absolutely involved with your conversation as it were the only thing in the world . That is being omnipresent and omniscient and simply being God!
We will all understand better by n by. I look forward to talking things over with you then.

Answer 7

you are right in saying that God hears the prayers of one righteous man- but we are apart of God's family and for me it is a privilege to be praying for my brother or sister in Christ- and when more than one prays we are standing in agreement. It does not mean that the more people that pray the same prayer, God will hear more. Prayer is not getting God ready to do our will, prayer is getting us ready to do His.

Answer 8

Our prayers are a way for us to help others. The Bible gives examples of prayers for others that were specific and individualized.

(Luke 22:31, 32) Jesus was surrounded by 11 faithful apostles. All of them would need God’s support in the difficult times ahead, so Jesus prayed for them.

Paul’s letters asked that prayer be offered for him or for him and his associates. (Colossians 4:2, 3)

(Colossians 4:12) [Paul’s associate in Rome] “Epaphras, who is from among you, . . . sends you his greetings, always exerting himself in your behalf in his prayers.”

Answer 9

Jesus actually said that it would only take *two or more people* gathered together for prayer to work. It's right there in that Bible everyone loves to quote so much. Two people. That's supposed to be enough. He also said to pray in private, but I guess that part isn't very well-read either.

Not that praying works anyway, but yeah, the subject is very specifically addressed right there in the Bible.

VLR

Answer 10

Power in numbers