A PRAYING CHURCH

“And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
Acts 1:13-14

It is vital that we hold onto the Reformed Faith, be steadfast in our separation, persevere in holiness, continue with the Authorised Version, be consistent in our worship and fervent in our evangelism. I would propose, however, that this chapter presents the greatest challenge facing our congregation and the entire denomination in the 21^st Century. Departure and decline in churches are often preceded by a prolonged erosion of prayer among believers. Likewise, the seeds of church growth and of revival are always sown as the people cry unto God. Pastor C.H. Spurgeon recognised the importance of the prayer meeting in his congregation in London. From a poorly attended congregation when he first arrived the Lord’s blessing eventually brought in thousands under the sound of the word. As he preached upon the topic of the prayer meeting to his people he introduced his remarks in this manner:

“In all those churches which are not altogether tied and bound by liturgies and rituals, it has been common to hold meetings for social prayer. We call them prayer-meetings. Now, it may be profitable now and then to look over some of our institutions, to see whether they are Scriptural, to notice their defects, to see in what respect they may be improved, or to observe their merits, that we may be induced still further to carry them on.” [1]

This chapter will argue the case for the Prayer Meeting from the first great apostolic gathering of the New Testament age.

The Purpose of the Apostolic Prayer Meeting

These early Christians met for prayer because Christ had commanded them so to do.[2] A study of the Book of Acts will reveal that the Church often took recourse to the Lord in prayer.[3] We gather for prayer principally because it is God’s will that we do so.

The Promise for the Apostolic Prayer Meeting

In Acts 1 the Lord commanded the early Church to pray in order that they might receive the “promise of the Father”, which was the power of the Holy Ghost. While we enjoy the indwelling of the Spirit not every Christian possesses the infilling of the Holy Ghost. We require this blessing if we are to be effective witnesses. It ought to be our burden that the Church enjoys the outpouring of the Spirit in revival. Our society needs Gospel blessing through the Holy Ghost ministering in the Church with power. In 1965 Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones introduced a series of messages upon Acts with these words:

“There can be no more urgent question at this present time than just this: What is Christianity. I say that because this gospel is the only hope in the world today. Everything has been tried and found wanting. Everything has failed. You will not find hope with the philosophers or with the statesmen, and you will not find it in the so-called religions of the world. Here is hope, and here alone.”[4]

Prayer is the Church reaching out in faith to claim this promise.

The Peace through the Apostolic Prayer Meeting

These followers of Jesus had been through difficult and trying times. Since the Passover they had come through the horrors of Golgotha, the excitement of the empty tomb and now they were finally alone after their master’s ascension to glory. The world they faced was hostile and they were few in number. The prayer meeting offered them a sanctuary of rest. Our prayer gatherings offer the Christian rare moments of quietness and reflection when we can sit at Christ’s feet. Like Mary we must choose this, the best part.[5]

The Participation in the Apostolic Prayer Meeting

All the disciples were present, except for Judas the apostate. This was a sign of their commitment to the work to which they had been called. Those in leadership were mentioned first because they were examples to the others. It is refreshing to note that Mary and other women were present. The ladies should be welcome and ought to be encouraged to engage in prayer, they play a most vital role in the prayer life of the Church. Many were unnamed but the number was given, 120. This was a sizeable proportion of the early church. The Lord wants all His people to be engaged in the prayer life of the church. The Lord takes note of both our presence and our absence from the prayer meeting.

The Persistence of the Apostolic Prayer Meeting

The scripture records that these people “continued” in prayer until the Holy Spirit was given. Too many Christians get discouraged and fall away from the place of prayer. Prayer is a battleground, not every petition is answered, Satan will create many excuses and reasons to hinder us, but God wants us to be consistent and to remain by our posts.

The Pattern in the Apostolic Prayer Meeting

These early believers prayed “with one accord”. Unity is what we should be striving after, because this will energise our prayer meetings. Mr Spurgeon recognised the evil that disunity brings to the Church:

“Discord always spoils prayer. When believers do not agree, and are picking holes in each other’s coats, they do not really love one another, and then their prayers cannot succeed.”[6]

Every Christian has a duty before God to deal with all those issues which divide the church and hinder both prayer and the work of the Holy Ghost in our midst.

The Power from the Apostolic Prayer Meeting

These believers were rewarded as God intervened in their prayer meeting. The power of the Holy Ghost came down and they were equipped for spreading the Gospel in their nation and throughout the world. God has a purpose for our congregations. We will not realise that purpose, however, and be a blessing to others if we do not give ourselves to prayer. Likewise, in our individual lives we will exist in the doldrums of God’s second best if we fail to be devoted to the prayer meetings of the church. Rev Spurgeon challenges our hearts with these telling words:

“It is in the spirit of prayer that our strength lies; and if we lose this, the locks will be shorn from Samson, and the Church of God will become weak as water and though we, as Samson did, go and try to shake ourselves as at other times, we shall hear the cry, “The Philistines be upon thee,” and our eyes will be put out, and our glory will depart, unless we continue mighty and earnest in prayer.”

[1] Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, No.3421, C.H. Spurgeon, 30^th August 1868.

[2] Acts 1:4, Luke 24:49

[3] Acts 4:23-31, Acts 12:12, Acts 13:1-3

[4] Authentic Christianity, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Banner of Truth, 1999.

[5] Luke 10:42

[6] Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, No.3421, C.H. Spurgeon, 30^th August 1868.