Better Together

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Opening Prayer

Father, You are the God who dwells within me. Today, fill my life with the Spirit of Jesus.

Read Acts 1:12-26

^[12] Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. ^[13] When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ^[14] They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. ^[15] In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ^[16] and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. ^[17] He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” ^[18] (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ^[19] Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ^[20] “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’ ^[21] Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, ^[22] beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” ^[23] So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ^[24] Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen ^[25] to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ^[26] Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“When we are born again into God’s family, every Christian believer in the world is our brother or sister in Christ. This is the universal Church, but we must share in a local church’s worship, fellowship, and witness” (John Stott).

Think Further

One of the challenges of living in a Western society is that of an attitude which says: “we have the resources, so we can do it.” Christians in less affluent parts of the world may more often know their need of God, and depend on him more fully.

After Jesus’ call to global witness, we immediately find the disciples adopting a posture from which every church must learn. The risen Lord had given an instruction and a promise: to wait for the sending of the Spirit (4,5,8). So “they all joined together constantly in prayer” (14). The words pack a punch for those whom self-sufficiency has made perilously independent of God and of fellow believers. “Together constantly in prayer”–here are three priorities for every Christian community. First, “Prayer” is saying, “I am dependent on God for everything.” It is a way of glorifying God because we are saying to him, “only you can do it.” Prayer is an appeal for God’s help based on his character and his promises. Second, “Together” describes these early Christians throughout the book of Acts, not least in their praying. Togetherness meant not simply a shared meeting place, but a unified sense of purpose (see Acts 4:24). Third, “constantly”–it was committed and persistent prayer, a sustained priority for the believers (The same word is used in Acts 2:42 and 6:4). The rest of this passage illustrates part of that commitment, as they prayed for the Lord’s guidance in one of their first strategic decisions (24). It was essential as they waited for the promised gift of the Spirit.

Here, then, are three simple priorities for today’s church: “Together constantly in prayer.” If we want to know more of God’s work by his Spirit, there is no other way than this.

Apply

Most references to prayer in Acts are corporate. In what ways can we strengthen this aspect of our spiritual lives?

Closing prayer

Lord, I thank You for my local church. I praise You for the teaching I receive there, and all I learn about being an obedient and growing disciple of Yours.

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