Prayer in Acts

2. Prayer in Acts 3rd May 2009

3. A Adoration • C Confession • T Thanksgiving • S Supplication

4. Acts 2:38-47 • “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

5. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

6. Prayer in Acts • Prayer in the matrix of community: “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (2:42) • Prayer for confession: ““Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit……..” Those who accepted his message were baptized.” (2:38, 41)

7. Prayer in Acts • Prayer for miracles of healing: “many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles” “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (2:43, 3:6) • Persistent prayer: “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (1:14)

8. Prayer in Acts • Prayer for guidance: “Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” (1:24-25) • Prayer for boldness: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (4:29-31)

9. What kind of prayer? • Individual prayer? • “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father” (Matthew 6:6) • “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35) • Or also collective? • “I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)

10. Collective prayer? • The Lord’s prayer not singular but plural • “OUR father, who is in heaven” • “Give US this day our daily bread” • “Lead US not into temptation” • “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him” (James 5:14) • “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

11. Praying as in Acts • Praying in community • Praying in power • Praying in expectation

12. Praying as in Acts • It can happen here today!