Acts; Prayer Without Ceasing?

June 17

Read: Acts 1:12-26

Acts;

Pray Without Ceasing?!

“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” (v.14)

It would end up being 50 days before “the promise” that Jesus spoke of in Acts 1:4 was fulfilled. How did the 120 some-odd followers of Jesus spend that time? How did those closest to Jesus “wait for the promise”?

The people of God “devoted themselves to prayer! I was and am inspired by this phrase in the scriptures… “devoted to prayer”. This was not a passing fad or a brief moment in the midst of the rest of their life; prayer was the activity that defined them… it was what they were doing. Prayer was the focus. Prayer is what unified them. Now sure, they went to sleep, ate food, used the restroom, and probably made purchases in the marketplace during those 50 day,But what is crucial to note is that conversation with God is what they were deeply devoted to and unified in. This is a sort of prayer I know we are called to even today.

This devotion to prayer is a thread throughout the history of God’s people and the scriptures as well. Think of these other passages:

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12)

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2)

“…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me…” (Eph. 6:18,19)

There seems to be a sort prayer that is spoken of in the scriptures that is different than the sort of praying we are used to. This is NOT a replacement for those prayers, but simply an acknowledgment of a broader sense of praying. What I mean to say is this, the sort of prayer we say at bedtime with our kids, or before we eat our food, or for a few minutes in the Sunday worship service does not seem to be the same sort of prayer that one could be wholly devoted to day in and day out “without ceasing” for 50 days let alone a lifetime! Take for instance another scripture:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” (1Thes. 5:16-19)

When we realize that prayer is not a monologue, but a dialogue with God, then we can begin to embrace what it looks like to remain in “constant” communication with him… listening… sharing… asking…celebrating…learning…seeking. Likewise, what we talk with God about matters. Our prayers should not be haphazard. We have examples of Paul asking for others to specifically pray for him. (cf. Eph. 6, etc.) This habit continues today with our “prayer requests” that we share with each other… as “sticky” as that topic may be. (Sometimes I feel like some “prayer requests” are simply veiled complaints or gossip… or someone trying to out-source to someone else what THEY are supposed to be praying about.)

While this morning’s devotions are not necessarily filled with answers other than the fact that I believe there are even more meaningful, deeper, and intimate ways that we can be “praying” as the people of God; What I know for sure is this: prayer is clearly a crucial, vital, and deeply important part of the Christian walk…and I am excited for more of it! I wonder what they spent those 50 days praying for? What were they asking God in that upper room? What were they praying for when they were all together as the 120? We know they spent some time picking out Judas’s replacement… but what else did they work on? What do YOU think they were praying about… talking with God about? What sorts of things do you think God was telling them through his word and through one another? How do you think praying looked DIFFERENT before the Holy Spirit was given … what would eventually change when the Holy Spirit does come? Just some food for thought. I know we will see this theme of prayer quite a bit in the book of Acts… so here is to the journey of learning to pray more… and in broader, deeper, and even more meaningful ways! Love you guys. - JDP