And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing meals, and to prayer. Acts 2:42
Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing meals, and to prayer.
Last month I introduced 3 simple practices or disciplines of the early church that help to reorient us to be people of the resurrected Saviour, Jesus Christ. My plan was to introduce 3 more practices this month but came to realize that it may better serve the readers of this blog if I focused on only one practice at a time so as to make it more “bite-sized.” With that in mind, I am drawing our attention to the pattern of “devotion to prayer” the early church modelled for us. I have become convinced that by regularly engaging in these kinds of practices, incorporating them as part of our everyday lives, our lives will be reshaped to be the light this world so desperately needs. It is that integral part of personally growing deep in our relationship with God so that we are able to reach wide with His heart for the world and those in it. To truly become Kingdom people… this was beautifully modelled for us by those early followers of Jesus after His resurrection and ascension, the people of “The Way,” which we are as well.
As we become more devoted to prayer, our heart begins to anticipate and rejoice over the ways God actively meets us in prayer. That can look a bit different for each of us depending on our “spiritual style,” as Gary Thomas lays out in his book Sacred Pathways. If you are not clear on what your natural inclination or way you naturally, easily connect with God, I highly recommend this book. The way we experience God is less important than the frequency in which we do so. It is important for us to honestly answer the question: “Am I devoted to prayer?” However we answer this question can help us to establish new, intentional rhythms of prayer where we reflect on the words of Scripture, intercede for the world in which we live, reflect on the ways the Holy Spirit has been with us, those things the Spirit brings to mind. These regular encounters transform us and give us new revelations of the truths that lay within the Word of God and what God is inviting us to do with those new revelations.
We can ask the Holy Spirit to birth in each of us a new passion and love for prayer—to awaken a deeper desire and expectation to come into the Almighty’s presence and encounter His unfathomable love for us, a place where we can “pray without ceasing” throughout our waking hours, where the Spirit of God is as near to us as each breath we take. The kind of deep, intimate heart prayer that truly transforms us to be God’s people… the people of The Way.
Holy Spirit, help us, help our Church, to be a place where people encounter Your Presence through prayer!! As we do, may we receive the promise of Isaiah 65:24: I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!
Isn’t that a fabulous promise to take hold of, my friends!!
Fondly,
Melody
