Acts 1:14
The book of Acts highlights the miracle, wonder-working power of God, manifested by God through the church. It is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Signs indeed follow them that believe (Mark 16:17,18). They fasted and prayed earnestly, and God consistently showed up (Acts 2:46; 6:4; 13). If one thing was made clear to the first apostolic bishops and every member of the Early Church, was the urgent need for divine power – the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – to serve effectively, to preach the gospel, to heal the sick, to cast out demons. In profound recognition of this salient fact, it is inarguable that the Early Church never left the place of prayer.
In obedience to the master’s instructions, they returned to Jerusalem, entered the Upper Room, and remained there until the Spirit came (Acts 1: 12,13). Luke keenly informs his readers that the upper echelons of church leadership, those at the very top, the first apostolic bishops of the church – “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren” (Acts 1:14). To do what He told them to do, fervent, persistent prayer must dominate every aspect of the church’s operations. There is no power without prayer. Little prayer results in little power. Conversely, much prayer causes great power to be unleashed and demonstrated in the church. Somehow the early believers understood this so concretely.
It may put us in good stead to remember that the book of Acts is the story of the disciples receiving what Jesus received to do what Jesus did. These frontline leaders of our Christian faith not just prayed sporadically but according to Luke’s eyewitness account, they prayed constantly, passionately, unitedly, and earnestly. They wasted no time! They prayed in unity and harmony with each other and with God (Acts 2:46; 4:24; 5:12; 15:25). More than anything else they were people of prayer. They classified as a praying church. They, being our prototype, may it never be lost upon us, the type of church and church leaders we are called upon to be in these last days.
Church of God, now more than ever, I call upon us never to leave the place of prayer. For this church to fulfill its high calling in Christ, may it profoundly register that we could never do so without serious, travailing, powerful, intercessory praying. It is my deep conviction and serious contention that we cannot be His representative body without constant, persistent resolute prayer. It is impossible! Can we really be the Church of God without an active, intense, on-going prayer ministry. In the Early church not only did the sisters pray but prayer was initiated and, in many instances, directed by the apostolic leadership of the house. May God help us today! It calls for both brothers and sisters earnestly praying together until something happens in the natural and in the supernatural, leadership and laity, constantly praying in unity!
May there be a renewed commitment to prayer in 2023! As the effects of the Pandemic decrease in intensity, may we see the need for more power to continue the work of the Blessed Savior until He returns. To successfully increase our borders, like the early church did – from local (Jerusalem) to national (Judaea) to cross-cultural (Samaria) to international (the end of the earth) – we can only do so with a renewed emphasis on prayer as exemplified by the early saints. May it also be said of us “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication…” (Acts 1;14).
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
