Communion With the Christ:: Prayer in the Church

“All Christians should, when possible, meet together regularly in prayer”

We can see from the example of the Primitive Apostolic Church that after the ascension of Jesus they regularly gathered to pray. Prayer was a large part of the early Church’s collective lives and viewed as indispensable.

“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts: 1:14

St. Luke’s account in Acts tells us much about life in the early Church. St. Luke records that they “constantly” were in prayer. That collective prayer was an ongoing discipline found within the Church and that prayer was not an afterthought but was a fixed routine in the lives of each and all.

Prayer gatherings brought the Church “together “, it built unity and straighten their bounds with one another.

This tells us that “they all” were in prayer as well and that prayer was not just the province of the “ordained clergy” alone, but was enjoined in their gathering the prayers of the “laity” of the Church as well, meal and female, young and old.

Seeking Devine Guidance

We can also see written in the Holy Word of God that Prayer was a part of seeking God’s divine guidance when there were decisions to be made regarding the work which our Lord Jesus entrusted to their participation.

The Church assembled and through addressing the need they prayed and then sought the lead of the Holy Spirit in ordaining a new Apostle to take Judas’ place among them.

After St. Peter reviewed the need for an ordination of a new Apostle among the assembled Church, they then moved forward in seeking divine guidance and after the time of prayer God answered, in this case, through the “casting of lots” which a reminder of the Urim and Thummin which had been kept in the breast plate of the High Priest of the people of Israel and was used to seek God’s will.

The Urim and Thummin was and is, to remind us that Jesus is the High Priest who truly leads the Church and guides it in all things.

“So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.” Acts: 1:23-26

The Early Church not only used prayer to seek guidance alone, but was used as a discipline of and a component of fellowship among believers. St. Luke again records the use of prayers and its role in the fellowship and worship of the Church.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” Acts: 2:42-47

Prayer is pictured as a matter of everyday discipleship and was associated with even the growth of the Church.

St. Peter and St. John went to the Temple at Jerusalem and there, through a great healing which could not be ignored by the religious leaders, the two Apostles were arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin, the governing council of the Jews, to answer for this “disruption” in the Temple courts resulting from the healing of the beggar at the gate. Acts: 3

After being questioned by the religious leaders, the Apostles were then threatening and warned not teach in Jesus’ name again or sterner measures would be employed against them.

“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.” Acts: 4:1-4

The Religious leaders could not deny that a great healing of a man known to be crippled had taken place. They saw, and knew that there was power supporting the Apostles and that many persons had responded to their proclamation about Jesus and had come to believe it.

“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.” (18-22)

After questing the Apostles and deliberation among themselves the Religious leaders determined then to issue threats against the Apostles and their movement then set them loses.

“After further threats they let them go.” (21)

St. Peter and St. John retuned to the assembled Church and gave a report about what had occurred. Upon the completion of the repost by the two Apostles there arose a spontaneous prayer service among the assembled believers asking for God’s help in the face of the Religious establishment and their threats.

“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.” (23-24)

The Church raised their voices together united in prayer asking for the power and boldness to take the Gospel boldly go forth and proclaim it even in the face of opposition.

“Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“ ‘Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord

and against his anointed one.

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(24b-30)

After the Church lifted up their voice in agreement, God responded with power shaking the place where the Church had gathered confirming his power would be there to assist them in the mission and commission of the Church.

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.” (31)

God Delivers

As the message spread around Jerusalem and more people responded to the Gospel and became believers in Jesus that even King Herod moves to arrest St. Peter believing that this will stem the growth of the Jesus movement and dismaying the followers of Jesus and silencing the message.

It was the intent of the king to put St. Peter on public trial just before the Passover observance to curry favor with the Jews and demoralized the fledgling Jesus movement.

It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.” Acts: 12:1-4

The Church’s responds to St. Peter’s arrest by is to connive a prayer meeting in the home of a member of the Church, and there they lift up their combined voices into the Heavens on St. Peter’s behalf.

As the Church intercede in prayer God dispatched an angel as the Apostle sits chained and guarded by four soldiers.

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (5)

The angel enters the prison and awakes St. Peter and leads him to freedom.

“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the Iron Gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” (6-11)

St. Peter arrives at the place of the prayer meeting and after a moment of astonishment and passive disbelief on the part of the those gathered in prayer the Apostle is admitted into the home and recounts God’s divine assistance and his rescue.

These Scriptures reflect how the Ancient Church dealt with challenges and made decisions which they found themselves confronted with. The Church would ·Gather for prayer, · Would discuss situation, · Group prayer always brought results.

The writer of the Hebrews Epistle admonishes Christians to come together for many reasons not just for weekly services but for many reasons.

Forsake not the assembling of your selves together Heb: 10:25

Jesus tells us that when Christians come together his presence is manifested and he will guide through the Holy Spirit and will affirm the results.

“Where two or three are gathered together there I am also” Matt: 18:19-20

This coming assembling now, will as in years past strengthen the assembled Christians and result in God’s purpose being enacted powerful in their lives. As well it strengthens will strengthen our relationship with God and Jesus Christ as we grow together.

In prayer there are dynamic answers will come. God’s power will strengthen His people to do the work. The Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit will be produced, the character and the tools to do the work which our Lord has commissioned his people to undertake here upon the Erath.

Benediction: May we each and all ever lift our voices in prayer unto the heavens which where from our Lord will hear and answer today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.