FRONT-LINE CHURCH PRAYER MEETING IN ACTS 4 (continued)
We’re learning about kingdom focused prayer in the early church. In Acts 4, we’ve seen how the early church prayed so dynamically. Thus far we’ve uncovered:
1. They went to their own friends (v.23)
2. They told God who He was (v.24) “Sovereign Lord…”
3. They told God what He had done (v.24) “made the heaven and the earth…”
Let’s continue to understand how to offer “front-line prayers” from the early church’s example in Acts 4.
D. They told God what He had said (vv.25-26)
Effective prayer anchors on God’s word. His word is a lamp to our feet and light to our path. It is the bread of life and our pattern in prayer. Their prayer demonstrated they knew all power is in God’s hands. When these believers remembered Jesus’ death, they told God that He was able “to do whatever your hand and your purpose predestined to occur.” (v.28)
E. Their Request (vv.29-30)
In the midst of a threatening situation, notice these believers did not ask for survival or escape. They prayed to go forward in mission by being empowered to boldly speak God’s word. They asked for God’s help to go forward in mission by power to demonstrate God’s presence by healing, signs and wonders. Front-line prayer keeps one’s eyes always on the mission of God.
F. God’s Response (vv.31-33)
God’s presence is evident because after they prayed, the place was shaken. This demonstrated His power and presence.
They were filled with the Holy Spirit. These gathered believers received power to see the gospel advance and boldness to carry out the mission of God in their city. Paul declares to all who follow Christ, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but the Spirit of love, power and a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)
As Christ’s church, we are called to be strong in prayer as we long to see His kingdom increase. To conclude this series on prayer, may Charles Spurgeon’s words stir your own prayer life with Christ…
“All hell is vanquished when the believer bows his knee in importunate supplication. Beloved brethren, let us pray. We cannot all argue, but we can all pray; we cannot all be leaders, but we can all be pleaders; we cannot all be mighty in rhetoric, but we can all be prevalent in prayer. I would sooner see you eloquent with God than with men. Prayer links us with the Eternal, the Omnipotent, the Infinite, and hence it is our chief resort…. Be sure that you are with God, and then you may be sure that God is with you.”
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
BUILDING THE CHURCH THROUGH PRAYER: Part 6
THE FRONT-LINE CHURCH PRAYER MEETING IN ACTS 4
Prayer is vital to building healthy churches. In Acts 4:23-33 we discover a meeting with “front-line” prayers that are after God’s kingdom purposes. Let’s see how they prayed.
A. They went to their own friends (v.23)
God calls us together into a church community. The Church is not a meeting you attend, but rather a family. Relationships are the key to life. “Two are better than one… for if one falls, his partner may help him” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
Relationships are also the key to multiplied strength. “One can put a thousand to flight and two can put ten thousand to flight” (Deuteronomy 32:30). They lifted their voices in passionate, intense prayer. Power is multiplied when we gather to pray.
B. They told God who He was (v.24)
Notice what they begin with: “Sovereign Lord.” They were driven to prayer by opposition but they tell God, “You are the Sovereign Ruler.” God is over all earthly powers. For example, Caesar’s decree that the world be taxed brought Mary to Bethlehem. God is Sovereign, not Caesar.
These believers prayed God’s Sovereignty. Their enemies thought they were doing their own will; but they were really fulfilling God’s will. What set this prayer meeting apart is that the Church knew He was God.
C. They told God what He had done (v.24)
“You made the heaven and the earth…”
It is good in prayer to remind ourselves of how big God is and all He has done. God has done some very big things. He bent the will of an obstinate Pharaoh. He divided the Red Sea. He shut the mouths of lions. He established your church. In prayer, we recall all He has done. This stirs worship in us and gives us confidence and clarity as we pray.
We’ll glean more from this prayer meeting in my next blog…
Prayer is vital to building healthy churches. In Acts 4:23-33 we discover a meeting with “front-line” prayers that are after God’s kingdom purposes. Let’s see how they prayed.
A. They went to their own friends (v.23)
God calls us together into a church community. The Church is not a meeting you attend, but rather a family. Relationships are the key to life. “Two are better than one… for if one falls, his partner may help him” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
Relationships are also the key to multiplied strength. “One can put a thousand to flight and two can put ten thousand to flight” (Deuteronomy 32:30). They lifted their voices in passionate, intense prayer. Power is multiplied when we gather to pray.
B. They told God who He was (v.24)
Notice what they begin with: “Sovereign Lord.” They were driven to prayer by opposition but they tell God, “You are the Sovereign Ruler.” God is over all earthly powers. For example, Caesar’s decree that the world be taxed brought Mary to Bethlehem. God is Sovereign, not Caesar.
These believers prayed God’s Sovereignty. Their enemies thought they were doing their own will; but they were really fulfilling God’s will. What set this prayer meeting apart is that the Church knew He was God.
C. They told God what He had done (v.24)
“You made the heaven and the earth…”
It is good in prayer to remind ourselves of how big God is and all He has done. God has done some very big things. He bent the will of an obstinate Pharaoh. He divided the Red Sea. He shut the mouths of lions. He established your church. In prayer, we recall all He has done. This stirs worship in us and gives us confidence and clarity as we pray.
We’ll glean more from this prayer meeting in my next blog…
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