P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today we will look at how the Lord responded to the prayers of the early church.
Together we will pray (P.R.A.Y.) each day – ‘P’: Pausing to be still as we come into the presence of the Lord. ‘R’: Rejoicing as we remember who our God is and what He has done, and Reflecting on His word. ‘A’: Asking God to help us and others. And ‘Y’: yielding to His will in accordance with His word.
As I come before you to pray, I still my thoughts and quiet my mind. I seek to make you the center of my focus.
Prayer of Approach
My Father, as I enter your gates this morning, there is thanksgiving in my heart! I praise you, that as your child, I can approach your throne of grace! Thank you for your promise that, as I draw near to you now, you will faithfully draw near to me. Assure me today of your great love for me as I open my heart to you and seek to be changed in your transforming presence.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the power of our mighty God for the battle in Psalm 24 …
“Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!”
Psalm 24:7-8
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Acts 1:14
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.”
Acts 2:1
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit”
Acts 2:4
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
Acts 2:41
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:29-31
“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.”
Acts 12:5-7
As I reread the passage, I reflect on the questions, “How is my life touched by this word?” and “How does this passage connect with my life?”
“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Acts 1:14
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.”
Acts 2:1
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit”
Acts 2:4
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
Acts 2:41
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:29-31
“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.”
Acts 12:5-7
These three passages outlining the activity of the Holy Spirit in response to the prayers offered by the people of the early church, offer valuable insight into the vital role prayer should play in the church today as well.
Our first passage shows the disciples in the upper room gathered together in prayer, earnestly seeking the promised arrival of the Holy Spirit who, as Jesus had said, would give them power for the mission that he left them with of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. Their prayers were answered with a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, ultimately resulting in the remarkable salvation of three thousand souls on just the first day.
Our second passage shows the early church praying for Peter and John after they were arrested, threatened for preaching the Gospel, and then released. Their prayers were met with yet another powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit that empowered boldness for life and ministry.
Lastly, in Acts 12, we see Peter in prison and the church earnestly praying for him. As a result of these prayers, God sends an angel who miraculously frees Peter and sends him on his way.
These passages reveal a clear pattern for the church to follow! Prayer is fundamental to the spiritual life and power of the church! Direct, specific, and unwavering (faith-filled, expectant) prayer unleashes God’s power to transform us and the world around us. The degree to which we believe and persistently pray, determines the degree to which the Spirit will release himself and his work within the church and the world.
Oh Lord, these passages are truly convicting! Have I inadvertently limited your power by assuming the events of Pentecost are no longer relevant for today? As I wrestle with these questions, I invite your guidance and direction.
My God and Father, I understand that you meant prayer to be the great power by which your church should do its work. It is when we ask, not only for ourselves but also for others, that you answer and heavenly blessings are brought to earth. What a wonderful privilege it is to partner with you to have your kingdom come! So today, I ask that you would bring revival, first into my heart, as I seek to align myself rightly with you, and then into my home, neighborhood, workplace and the world!
As I read the passage for the final time, I listen for how the Lord is inviting me to respond to him. Where in my life do I need to yield in obedience to what he has for me?
“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Acts 1:14
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.”
Acts 2:1
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit”
Acts 2:4
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
Acts 2:41
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:29-31
“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.”
Acts 12:5-7
Yielding Prayer
Jesus, I believe, please help my unbelief! Show me how to step out in faith and join others in the church who are earnestly praying to see your kingdom come and your will be done! Help us as a church to be a house of prayer where direct, specific, and unwavering prayers continually rise to you. And then send out your power to transform us and the world around us! Unite us in the love and purpose that you call us to in your word, we pray. Amen
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Luke 1…
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37
Closing Prayer
Lord, enable me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to love you today with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to serve you today, by loving and caring for others as I do my own self; and, to exalt you today, by telling the people in my world about the abundant and eternal life found only through faith in Jesus.