Acts 2:42 Amplified Bible (AMP)
42 They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to [a]eating meals together and to prayers.
This week we are looking at the early church and the things they were devoted to. We have talked about their devotion to teaching, fellowship and eating together. Today we look at their devotion to prayer.
One of the hardest things to do in many churches is to get people to attend corporate prayers. People always have an excuse why they cannot come and I believe it is because we have not understood the power of corporate prayer.
Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London, so they went to hear the famed C.H. Spurgeon preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, “Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?” They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July. But they didn’t want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, “This is our heating plant.” Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgeon.
Acts 4:31
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.
This scripture is right after Peter and John prayed for the lame man at the gate called beautiful and they were taken before the Sanhedrin. The church came together in unity and prayed such a powerful prayer the bible says the place where they prayed was shaken and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke with boldness.
Peter is again arrested in Acts 12 and we see a church gathered up for prayer the whole night. Peter is released by an angel from the prison.
These are examples that demonstrate that the early church was devoted to corporate prayer and every time they prayed something amazing always happened.
It is sad that today in many churches today when you call for times of corporate prayers only about 10% of the congregants show up but when there is something else like a concert or something entertaining, the church is full to the brim.
How I pray that we would go back and rediscover the power of corporate prayer times.
