| Our verse to DATE the Word on January 14 (1/14) is Acts 1:14 |
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| Acts 1:14 says, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” |
| The Priority of PRAYER The book of Acts begins with the conclusion of the visible ministry of the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Luke will introduce his 2nd letter by letting his friend Theophilus know he will be telling what happens after Jesus Christ ascended. He then writes about the ascension and how Jesus tells His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, and that they were to be witnesses first in Jerusalem, then in Judea, then in Samaria, and then to the utmost parts of the world. (Acts 1:8) With the assignment of taking the gospel to the world Jesus ASCENDS to heaven and his disciples return, as instructed, to Jerusalem to wait. Acts 1:13 tells that they went back to the UPPER ROOM. Many believe this to be the same UPPER ROOM where Jesus had observed the Passover and instituted the Lord’s Supper and washed the disciples’ feet as well as shared what we read in John 14, 15, 16, and 17. One can imagine if it is the same place how special it must have been for the disciples to return there. Acts 1:14 reveals that not only were the disciples there but also some women, especially Mary, the mother of Jesus. And His brothers were there. As we look closer at Acts 1:14 Luke tells us more than the place and the people in the Upper Room, he tells us how in unity (one accord) they PRAYED. Don’t read this too quickly. Let this settle in your heart. The first action we read of the disciples after Jesus ASCENDS to heaven is to PRAY. Assuming they were in the same UPPER ROOM the last night Jesus had with the disciples they may have been flooded with memories of Jesus telling them to pray. For instance, in John 14:12 Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” Now, whether or not they were in the same room or not, they are PRAYING. Prayer was the top priority. Let us consider our priority of prayer. I repeat that the first action of the disciples after the ascension was to gather together to pray. It would not be the last. A reading of the Book of Acts finds one prayer meeting after another. Here are a few examples to prove my point. Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 6:4 “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Jesus told His disciples, and I believe He told us, that we would do greater works than He did because He went to His Father. He then said ASK. My take is He said ASK WHAT YOU NEED TO DO THE GREATER WORKS! The question then is ARE WE ASKING? Are we PRAYING? What is the priority of prayer for your life and ministry and work and service for the Lord? Is your life being marked with “AND WHEN YOU/THEY PRAYED”….? Verse to DATE the Word on January 14 (1/14) is Acts 1:14. It says, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Prayer is not a waste of time. It is the first work that allows for your work for God to work! Continue Strong with prayer as a priority. And remember to DATE THE WORD |