November 18th – A Praying Church




When you consider the impact of the early church on the world you can’t help being struck by the massive importance it gave to prayer. Prayer was one of the great essentials of the early church and no wonder. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, as distinct from saying their prayers. When he taught them what we now call “The Lord’s Prayer”, he was not setting out a magic formula of words to be recited, like an incantation for casting a spell. It was rather “Pray in this manner” under these guidelines. Together call on the invisible God, who is your true father. Honour him, bless his name, rejoice that you are part of his kingdom, and beg him that his rule and will are implemented in your lives and all over this rebel world. All this before you ask anything, even then don’t be greedy, be grateful for your daily bread. Since you are human, ask for forgiveness and for a spirit which forgives others as you’ve been forgiven. Ask that , when you are tempted you are led out strongly, and delivered from the evil one who wants to devour you. Then adore and praise God. If it is guidelines you want, pray like that, use that framework, and above it all recognise that prayer implies that you are in living touch with Father God, who is supernatural. Prayer itself is an activity in which humans may engage. Answers to prayer are supernatural responses from God. He may chooses to use his own rules in physical creation to answer you, or he may choose to override them. He is God. He has the power to do whatever he chooses. Prayer is the unspeakable privilege he has granted us of making our little requests known before him as we seek his face.
A prayerless church is a nonsense. It is a family which never talks or listens to its parent, nor cares about each other. On the other hand, a praying church is alive to God. No matter how God chooses to answer its prayers, that means that when as a church we truly pray, we are open to almighty-ness to wonder, to glory, to limitless possibilities.
Today read the prayer of the church which took place when Peter and John had been released from a trial before the very council which had Jesus crucified. Here is a snatch of that prayer:
They raised their voices together in prayer to God. 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. Acts 4: 24Acts 4: 24
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:  

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and 31
A Prayer: Lord, in your mercy, call your church today to pray like that.
Now read Acts 4: 8-31Acts 4: 8-31
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. 23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.  

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Thought 4 The Day

I believe in Christianity as I believe in the sun – not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
(C. S. Lewis)

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