Missionaries, when they are home, often thank the church for praying for them because they are very dependent on praying churches for effectiveness of their ministries in other countries. Many church members fail to recognize that prayer is one of the most important things they can do when they gather together. Some even think that their individual prayers are just as effective as corporate prayer. While their prayers may be effective, they cannot be obedient and avoid gathering together for prayer as did the early church as noted in the book of Acts and in the epistles.