Rebuilding the Altar (5)
Dustin Lee Boden / General
Rebuilding the Altar / Prayer
“The Core Altar—A Community of Prayer Warriors"
Acts 4:24 (NIV 2011)
24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God…
Acts 4:31 (NIV 2011)
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Introduction:
Today, we are in week five of our series, Rebuilding the Altar.
This week, our focus is on The Core Altar, specifically, a community of prayer warriors.
The church must be a place where we cultivate a community of prayer warriors—unified in spirit, fervent in prayer, and seeking God's presence together.
This creates an "Upper Room" experience that transforms lives.
In this series so far, we’ve mostly focused on individual prayer, and we’ve seen what a single person can accomplish through prayer.
• Elijah called down fire from Heaven.
• Daniel’s commitment to prayer, despite unfavorable circumstances, ultimately led to his deliverance.
The "secret place" of individual prayer is a call for each of us. However, we are not meant to always pray alone.
There is also a time for gathering in prayer, where the community of believers joins in agreement, combining our voices and amplifying our prayers before God.
Individual prayer is essential, but corporate prayer is equally vital.
Throughout the Bible, particularly in the book of Acts, we see a pattern in the early church.
They were known for more than just their preaching—they were known for their praying.
In fact, the very first collective act of the early church after Jesus ascended was a prayer meeting.
As you read through Acts, you'll find a consistent and intentional approach to praying together as a community.
They prayed in times of celebration, when facing opposition, and in the ordinary routines of everyday life.
The early church was constantly praying, and they were not only doing it alone but together!
They were truly a community of prayer warriors.
I believe the Holy Spirit fell in the Upper Room not merely by chance, but because there was a committed group of believers who set aside regular and scheduled times of prayer.
Their commitment to pray together wasn’t sporadic; it was intentional, with a dedicated time, place, and prayer focus.
If you ask me, the driving force behind the book of Acts is their commitment to pray together in all circumstances—at all times, individually and as a community.
Part-time Christians cannot defeat full-time demons.
If we are to impact our families and society, we must have regular times of both individual and community prayer.
In Acts 4:24-32, when the chief priests threatened Peter and John, warning them not to speak in the name of Jesus, the two men returned to the church to share their testimony. How did the church respond? "They raised their voices together in prayer to God…" (Acts 4:24).
Acts 4:24–32 NIV 2011
24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.
25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ‘ “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.”
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
And when they finished praying, the very place they were gathered physically shook!
They were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke boldly—not timidly, but boldly.
This happened because of their commitment to regular corporate prayer—an intentional, prioritized time of unified prayer that shook the earth and empowered them.
Why is this important? Because something dynamic happens when we pray together.
The authority of our prayers is multiplied when we join together in unity.
Unity is powerful…
Psalm 133 ESV
A SONG OF ASCENTS. OF DAVID.
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
God’s blessing is commanded where we gather in unity.
The Core Altar revolves around having your “core” group of people.
• Many of you have a core group of friends—those close-knit, ride-or-die individuals central to your life and activities.
• This group typically provides support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.
As I mentioned last week, concerning my daughters—no matter the day or hour, if my girls need me, I’m there.
• They don’t need me to beat up their boyfriends; they just need to know I’m willing!
It’s the same idea here: the church should not be a collection of cliques where groups are segregated and only a select few are included.
That kind of division destroys churches.
Instead, we should be a powerful force that breaks down barriers, includes everyone, and together stirs up the spiritual atmosphere in our fellowship to the point where earthquakes start happening!
The church fails to be a church…if they fail to prayer corporately!
The main issue we face regarding a lack of participation in corporate prayer meetings is that many people can pray quietly and individually, but they’ve never learned to pray corporately.
We’ve personalized prayer to be “our own thing,” and while there’s a place for that, we are also commanded to pray together.
Prayer is not about what makes us comfortable or suits our personality.
It’s about challenging and stretching ourselves beyond our comfort zones.
It’s about embracing the responsibility to pray out loud with others, and agreeing out loud with them in prayer.
“There is power when we agree with one another, but that power takes on supernatural power when we agree together with God’s promises.”
~Rick DuBose
My first point today is
1. The Power of Praying Together
There is a collective strength and effectiveness that comes through unified prayer.
1. Power multiplies when we pray together!
a. The idea here is that, when we come together to pray, the authority in our prayers increases.
b. When people come together with a shared purpose, their collective efforts become stronger and more effective.
c. This isn’t just about adding more voices, but about multiplying the spiritual authority and faith present in the room.
d. You need to think of it as combining forces… when we unite in prayer, each person brings their faith, their passion, and their spiritual authority.
e. Our voices, when combined in unity, create a powerful force that resonates in the spiritual realm.
f. The early believers knew that the power of their agreement could shake the very place they were in.
g. This is the power of agreeing—it's not just about the words we say, but the heart and faith behind those words.
h. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 18:19-20
Matthew 18:19–20 NIV 2011
19 ‘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.
20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.’
a. There is great spiritual authority and power when people unite and join together in faith and prayer.
b. Up until this point in their spiritual journey, the disciples only knew that Jesus’ power was available when he was present with them.
i. Jesus looked ahead to a new day, when he would no longer be present in the physical form… and he was teaching them a very powerful and necessary principle.
ii. That the presence of two Christian believers is more powerful than thousands of people untied superficially.
iii. This is because where two are gather in sincere faith, the power and authority of heaven was aligned with their prayers.
c. When we align ourselves with other believers, with an intentional approach to whatever the issue is… we set the stage for miraculous break-thru!
d. Notice the verse says… if two of you agree on ANYTHING it will be done for you!
e. There is power when we pray together…but our faith MUST be aligned and united… o
f. One of you cannot be praying the opposite of the other… for example...
i. If you receive a bad doctors report and you bring your needs to you prayer partner and you pray for healing to manifest and they pray “If it be thy will”… you will not get whatever you ask for… because one of you is praying and speaking faith and the other still isn’t sure if God wants to heal us...
ii. It is God’s will to heal us… Jesus took stripes for our healing, so why wouldn’t want to heal you?
g. Prayer agreement leads to breakthrough.
h. Here is another way to look at this… “To pray together is to dream the dreams of God together.”
i. I do not know about you, but when God births a dream or a vision in my heart… I want to find like minded people to pray with me about it!
i. That being said… if God births something in your heart… be careful who you share that dream with… because the people you surround yourself with will either pour gasoline on the fire in your heart or they will drench it with water!
Amos 3:3 NKJV
3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
j. It is a huge encouragement when we don’t have to carry a heavy burden alone.
k. God has great plans and His Kingdom is coming to earth.
i. I want to pray His dream with others regarding His Kingdom.
ii. I want to agree with others in alignment with His will.
iii. Praying in agreement is harmonizing together like a symphony.
2. There is an Exponential Impact of Unified Faith
a. There is power in togetherness, where individual faith becomes collective strength.
b. When individuals come together in faith, the power of their prayers doesn’t just add up—it multiplies.
c. Think of it like combining individual drops of water to form a powerful wave.
i. Alone, a single drop may create a tiny ripple, but when countless drops unite, they can build a wave that can crash against obstacles and carry immense force.
ii. Similarly, when we unite our prayers and faith, we create a spiritual wave that can shake the foundations of our circumstances, communities, and even the world.
d. Each of us brings unique experiences, perspectives, and levels of faith to the table.
e. Your struggles, victories, and testimonies add depth and richness to our collective faith.
f. God honors that unity…
g. In Things happen when we commit to gathering in unity, with a unified purpose.
h. God responds!
Acts 12:1–5 NKJV
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.
2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
a. Peter had an issue, and his “core” went to battle and prayed without ceasing!
b. The situation looked impossible…James had already died… Peter was scheduled for trial and execution…and the church prayed intensely and steadily over Peter’s situation!
c. Then… their prayer was soon answered!
Acts 12:6–11 NKJV
6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.
8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”
9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
a. Peter released from Prison because the church prayed…without ceasing!
b. When we gather in faith, God’s presence manifests among us, empowering our prayers and amplifying our impact.
c. There’s an exponential increase when God’s people unite in purpose and faith.
d. This isn’t just about what we can accomplish together, but what God does through us when we come together.
e. Again there is an old testament reference that speaks into the power of unity...
Leviticus 26:8 NLT
8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath your sword.
a. This verse illustrates the principle that God’s people, when united in purpose, can accomplish far more than they could alone.
b. It speaks to the strength found in unity—when individuals band together, their combined faith leads to breakthroughs that are impossible in isolation.
c. When believers unite in prayer, they invite God's power into their midst in a unique way.
i. The synergy created through unified faith allows God to move in extraordinary ways.
ii. This often results in outcomes that surpass what any individual could achieve.
iii. The more believers that come together, the more powerful the prayer becomes.
iv. Each person contributes their unique experiences, perspectives, and faith levels, creating a richer tapestry of prayer that God can work through.
d. In the world today, there is a present manifestation of evil that we have never faced, and it has been increasing as the day of Christ approaches.
e. As the Bible foretells an increase in wickedness and lawlessness in the last days, it requires a different kind of approach in prayer to defeat it.
i. Better preaching, better worship music, and more church programs will not affect them… but a new level of prayer is required!
f. When we come together in prayer, it’s not just about words—it’s about unity, strength, and experiencing God’s power in a tangible way.
g. Power truly multiplies when we pray together.
2. Creating a Place for God to Move
Not only should we pray together, but we need to be establishing an environment within the church that fosters this kind of prayer and unity.
Acts 2:42–47 NLT
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.
45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—
47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
1. A praying church becomes a powerful church.
a. One of the issues of the modern church is that, they have removed the place of corporate prayer.
b. Churches have removed the priority of coming and praying together, and are much more satisfied to pray corporately from afar.
i. Have you ever noticed… no one ever makes excuse of how they are too busy for vacations or fun trips and activities they enjoy to do?
ii. But when it comes to prayer services or church meetings int he evenings… all of a sudden, work, school, time and many other excuse emerge.
c. I believe that one of the reasons God isn’t moving in the way we want him to in our homes, and communities is because we have not created a place for God to move!
d. I have about a thousand favorite worship songs, but one of my favorites is “Make Room”… but the reality is we sing it… but do we actually mean it?
e. For the most part, modern Christian churches have tried to condense the worship experience to fit within an hour...
i. God can move freely as long as we still get home in a reasonable time.
ii. Prayer nights that used to be the source of power for our local churches have been forgotten and have become obsolete.
f. There are things that simply cannot be done without a regular commitment to corporate prayer!
g. Then the reality is… when churches actually do have prayer meetings and services… they spend the whole time praying about their own personal prayer requests.
i. At mostly all prayer services this is what consumes the prayer time…and please do not misinterpret this… these things are important… there is nothing wrong with praying for these things, but scripture also makes it clear that we are to be praying the kingdom forward.
ii. There needs to be a missional approach to our corporate prayer meetings.
h. If you look back at Acts 4… where we started… the corporate prayer meeting wasn’t focused on their personal individual needs.
i. They prayed for the advancement of the Gospel.
ii. They prayed for the kingdom to advance.
iii. They prayed for a move of the Spirit.
iv. They prayed for great boldness.
v. They prayed for signs and wonders.
i. They quoted scripture in their prayers…Psalm 2, acknowledging that there is a powerful force that opposes the things of God, and they connected the power of God and His promises to their current situation!
j. The result of their prayers… was when they made room for God… they place where they prayed was shaken!
k. God’s presence answered them!
l. The kingdom of God was moving on earth in the place where they created a space for God’s power!
m. This caused them to be empowered with a spiritual boldness!
n. They were changed… and this mighty move of God did not only change them… but it moved beyond them and into their city!
i. Miracles happened…
ii. Signs and wonders came!
iii. Their community got saved!
o. Jesus was proclaimed with power…and the Gospel moved like a mighty wave…
p. There wasn’t a force on the earth or beneath the earth that could stop them or keep them quiet!
q. THIS IS WHAT WE NEED HERE…This is what our church needs… this is what Three Springs needs… this is what Pennsylvania needs… it is what our nations needs, and it is what the whole world needs!
i. It is not a political movement…
ii. it is not a man or woman…
iii. but it is to make room for the power of God to sweep through our region in a mighty way, confirming the Gospel with signs and wonders!
r. It will never come through any other means except prayer!
s. The break through that is needed will only come through the unity of prayer!
2. Revival starts in the Upper Room and spreads into the world.
a. When the church prays together, it creates an environment ripe for miracles and breakthroughs.
b. When the church unites in prayer, it shifts the atmosphere.
c. You attracted persecution… but the anointing you carry breaks through it!
Acts 8:4–8 NLT
4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.
6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.
7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.
8 So there was great joy in that city.
a. When invite God to take control, we move beyond our limited understanding and expectations.
b. As we humble ourselves and seek His face, we open the door to the supernatural.
c. Miracles that may seem impossible in our own strength become possible when we surrender to God’s power.
d. Once revival ignites in the Upper Room, it cannot be contained.
e. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit spills into the streets, impacting the world around us.
f. This is what we long for in our communities today—a revival that begins in the hearts of believers, in the unity of the church, and then spreads like wildfire, transforming lives and communities.
g. It’s not enough for revival to be an abstract concept; it must be an active reality within our congregations, igniting a passion for prayer, worship, and outreach.
h. Revival happens because of the prioritization of prayer.
i. Revivals happen because a man or woman of God has an encounter with God and refuses to leave that place until all others are touched by it!
i. Here is what I know about revivals, they happen first in prayer times…
ii. Then it spreads as people refuse to leave a region untouched by the power of God!
iii. The question is are we hungry for revival enough to refuse to be moved until it comes?
3. Strength in Numbers
You are stronger together when you are standing together in faith!
1. We are stronger when we stand together.
a. We need spiritual companions in battle.
b. Like soldiers in war, we need others standing with us, lifting us up in prayer when we grow weary.
c. The reality is… prayer is important, it is powerful, and it must be a priority… but the reality is… it always will cost you something!
d. Prayer requires sacrfice…it requires time… it causes pain…and it requires endurance.
e. Anyone who is committed to being a prayer warrior will eventually pay the cost.
i. When we make a commitment to pray… be not surprised it suddenly you find all sorts of things going wrong in your life.
ii. Be not surprised if you find yourself under constant attack from the enemy.
iii. Do not be shocked to find out that your life is being upended… because you are the biggest threat to the devil when you pray!
iv. He will do whatever he can to stop you!
f. When you pray… you will grow tired… you will get weary… you will face the temptation to quit and give up!
g. Prayer and the spiritual battles that prayer awakens will exhaust you.. but you must not quit!
i. You have been given the responsibility to pray and God expects us to do our part.
ii. This is where corporate prayer and a community of prayer warriors will become a source of strength for you!
h. We are STRONGER when we STAND together!
Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV 2011
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds,
25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
a. We often quote this in regards to Sunday morning church gatherings… but lets apply it to corporate prayer meetings!
b. In unity we find strength.
c. When we stand together as a community of prayer warriors, we can face the trials ahead with courage and determination.
d. The spiritual battles may be exhausting, but with the support of our companions, we can persevere.
e. In Exodus 17…We see Moses… who was trained for battle by the Egyptians, look to not His ability or His strength to win the battle with the Amalekites… but He turned to the Lord.
f. What is interesting about this account is… Moses went to the mountain top… and lifted His hands towards heaven as an act of dependence on God.
g. As long as He was interceding for the people with his hands lifted High, the Israelite army prevailed… but the moment he became tired and dropped his arms… the enemy advanced… in verse 11-13 it says...
Exodus 17:11 NLT
11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage.
Exodus 17:12–13 NLT
12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.
13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
a. See it did not take the soldiers long to realize that Moses, although he was physically distant from the battle, what he was doing was the most important factor in their success.
b. So two men, who were the “core” people came alongside him… supported His arms and placed a rock underneath him and he sat on it.
c. Here is the point… like Moses… praying alone will wear on you… and you will be come weak and you will tire easily.
d. Your hands begin to fall and you lose your posture… then you run the risk of losing the battle!
e. We need a community of prayer warriors to join us… lift our arms… place a rock beneath us…and support us when we are battling in prayer!
f. We need partners in prayer!
2. When we pray together, we fight together—and we win together.
a. When we pray together, we lift up one another’s burdens.
Galatians 6:2 ESV
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
a. Imagine a game of tug-of-war.
b. If one person tries to pull the rope alone, the opposing force can easily overpower them.
c. But when a team grabs the rope and pulls in the same direction, their combined strength makes them nearly unstoppable.
d. The same principle applies to prayer.
e. Alone, we may feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges, but together, we are a force to be reckoned with.
f. The church is called to be a united front, standing together in prayer to fight against the challenges, temptations, and attacks that come our way.
g. When we pray together, we share in each other’s burdens, support one another, and fight side by side in spiritual battles.
h. And as we do this, we experience victory—not just as individuals, but as a community of believers empowered by God’s Spirit.
i. This all begins with our responsibiolty to build and altar of prayer.
j. To Rebuild the core altar, establish a community of prayer warriors.
k. Create a place where we regularly pray together and experience the power of God.
Conclusion:
“As we’ve seen today, there is a unique power that is released when God’s people pray together in unity.
It’s not just about adding more voices—it’s about multiplying our faith, our authority, and our strength.
Just like Moses needed Aaron and Hur to lift his arms, we need one another.
We’re not meant to fight these spiritual battles alone.
When we come together as a community of prayer warriors, we create an environment for God to move.
And the promise is clear—where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there in our midst.
That means His power is here. His presence is here. His healing, His restoration, and His breakthroughs are here.
But the question remains:
Are we willing to rebuild that core altar of prayer?
Are we willing to commit to praying together, to standing in faith, and to creating a place for God to move in our church and in our community?”
Call to Action:
Today, I want to invite you to take a step of faith.
Maybe you’re here and you’ve been carrying a heavy burden alone—it's time to find your Aaron and Hur.
Or perhaps God is stirring your heart with a vision or a dream for revival—don’t hold back.
Let’s bring that dream to the altar together.
Or maybe you’re feeling weak and weary from the battle—don’t let your hands fall; let’s lift them up together.
This is our moment to unite in prayer, to stand together, and to ask God to pour out His Spirit.
Let’s make room for God to move in this place.
Prayer Time Transition:
So here’s what I want us to do. I’m going to open these altars, and I encourage you to find a partner or a group and come forward to pray together.
Don’t be afraid to link arms in faith with someone else.
If you’re carrying a need or a burden, share it with a trusted person and let them lift you up in prayer.
If God has placed a vision on your heart, share it with someone who can agree with you and pray for that breakthrough.
For those of you in your seats, this is not a time to be a spectator.
This is your invitation to engage in prayer right where you are.
Let’s all lift our voices in unity.
Let’s pray for our church, our community, and our nation.
Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to move in this place.”
