One of the most important things Jesus taught His disciples was how to pray. This was a foundation that He established with them so that after He was gone, they would continue to communicate with the Father. Jesus knew, to establish the church, it would have to be built on a healthy relationship with Him. In Acts chapter two, after the birth of the church, we see them gathered in an upper room praying. The scripture tells us they continued in the Apostles doctrine, with fellowship, the breaking of bread, and with prayer. The early church understood the necessity and the power of prayer. It kept them close to God, united with each other, and it gave them the strength to face adversity. This means that there was prayer in the church.
If we want to follow the pattern of Pentecost and discover the same move of God they did, then we must have prayer in our churches. We can bring a lot of new ideas and programs, but they must never replace the importance of prayer. We’re not running a business; we’re building a church; God’s church that is called by His name. Our prayers to Him is our communication with Him. The more we talk to Him, the more we learn about Him. If we leave prayer out of the church, then we might have a building, but we won’t know the builder. We have been instructed several times in the New Testament to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is imperative that we have a strong relationship with the God of the church and not just the church with the name of God on it.
I encourage you today to communicate with the Lord in prayer. Have a simple conversation with Him. You don’t have to approach Him with an eloquent speech, He just simply wants to hear from you. Bring Him thanksgiving for all the things He’s done for you. Pray over your house, family, and friends – Pray over your job and ask God to place you in the path of someone that you can help – Bring Him your petitions and requests – Step into intercessory prayer where you begin praying for things that you didn’t even know about.
I have several other things that I want to write about on the subject of prayer this week, but today I want to emphasize the importance of prayer in the church.
Acts 2:46-47
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
“We’re not running a business; we’re building a church” 😲💥🎤