Better to Pray Together Than Apart

But here again I would ask my accuser: where was it right for the people to pray? In the deserts, or in a place being built for the very purpose of prayer? Where was it fitting and devout for the people to answer “Amen”? In the deserts, or in what was already called the Lord’s house? Where would you, most religious emperor, have wished your people to stretch out their hands and pray for you? Where Greeks passing by might stop and listen, or in a place named after you, which everyone has long called the Lord’s house, ever since its foundations were laid? I am sure that you prefer your own place; for you smile, and that tells me so. “But,” says the accuser, “it ought to have been in the churches.” They were all, as I said before, too small and cramped to admit the crowd. Then again, in what way was it most fitting for their prayers to be made? Should they meet in parts and separate groups, at risk from the crush of the congregation? Or, when there was now a place that would hold them all, should they gather in it and speak as with one and the same voice in perfect harmony? This was the better course, for it showed the unity of the crowd, and in this way God will readily hear prayer. For if, according to the promise of our Savior himself, where two agree together about anything they ask, it will be done for them, what will it be when so great an assembly of people with one voice utter their Amen to God? Who was there who did not marvel at the sight? Who did not call you blessed when they saw so great a crowd gathered in one place? How the people themselves rejoiced to see one another, after being used to meeting in separate places! The occasion was a pleasure to everyone, and a vexation only to the slanderer. [a]