BUILDING THE CHURCH THROUGH PRAYER: Part 7

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.”