“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47).
I love this passage. I have always wondered what it would be like to live out this passage…
- The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved…What Christian doesn’t want to see this? What an amazing picture. Could you imagine if that were taking place today?
Is such a revival possible today? Was this only a thing of the past? Was this only something from the early church days to never be experienced again?
We may never find out until we too devote ourselves to the apostles’ teaching (the Bible), to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and prayer.
It’s my take that we are doing pretty well on the first three items – devoted to God’s word, to fellowship, and to the sacrament of communion. The place where I think we are the weakest is communal prayer. Praying like ministry and renewal depended on God and God alone.
The revival that took place in the Book of Acts was the result of the Holy Spirit. Only God’s Holy Spirit can convict us of our sins and turn us to repentance. That’s the reason why prayer is essential to revival and renewal. Revival and renewal are things we cannot generate or create. Revival and renewal only take place as the Holy Spirit of God moves. And that’s the reason why we pray. We are asking God to do that which we cannot.
Would you commit to praying for renewal and revival? Would you devote yourselves to prayer? No renewal or revival has ever occurred without being accompanied by prayer.
I am inviting you to pray. Not just individually. I trust that you are praying. I am challenging you to devote yourselves to prayer on Wednesday evenings with your pastors. The worm of the ministry of Jesus Christ is a work that will only happen through the movement of the Holy Spirit.
Will you join me in devoting yourselves to prayer for God to move upon the Little Church and Lakewoodgrace in Lakewood and beyond?
Join me in prayer, asking God to do what only God can do on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm in the office or by zoom.
Praxis: Faith in Action 