As we begin praying we are seeking the manifestation of God’s kingdom on earth as Jesus taught us to pray in
Matthew 6:10 “May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
And, as we think about the resources available to us through the Bible with translations in most languages and scholarly commentaries and study texts easily available in print and online we recognize that we have far more available to us than the early church did. So, we might expect better results. But it wasn’t just that they had less access to the kinds of materials we have, few in the early church were well educated as it says of the disciples in
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus.
What they did have was Jesus as a teacher who opened the scriptures to them and this revelation is the basis of our new testament bible in
Acts 1:3 to whom he also presented himself alive after he suffered, with many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking the things about the kingdom of God.
And, they also had a promise of “power” when the Holy Spirit came on them after the death and resurrection of Jesus and after the Day of Pentecost in Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth.”
While Jesus had given them this promise, it was necessary for them to follow the example of praying that Jesus had given them. As he prayed, the Holy Spirit descended in
Luke 3:21–22 Now it happened that when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while he was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
So, as Jesus had told them, they waited together in Jerusalem and engaged themselves to seek the Holy Spirit “power” as they prayed in
Acts 1:14 All these were busily engaged with one mind in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
The Needs
Pray in faith expecting a fuller revelation of Jesus Christ and greater anointing of the Holy Spirit in the Church because Jesus said in
John 16:23 And on that day you will ask me nothing. Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
and remembering that he called us and chose us for this very purpose in
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and your fruit should remain, in order that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Beseech
Beseech, which means “to beg for urgently or anxiously”2, God that he would raise up and establish strong leaders. That he would reveal the kingdom of God to your church as he did for the disciples in Acts 1:3. List the names of leaders you know and pray for them.
Ask
Ask the Lord to fill ministry leaders with the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:8. Pray as Jesus taught in Luke 11:9-13 “how much more will the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”. Use Ephesians 4:8-16 apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers and also other gifts that may not be as publicly visible in 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 workers of miracles, those with gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.
Entreat
Entreet the Father, which means to “to plead with especially in order to persuade”, that your church would be “a house of prayer” as Jesus described in
Matthew 21:13 And he said to them, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a cave of robbers!”
That your church would pray together during times of corporate prayer “with one mind” as in
Acts 1:14 All these were busily engaged with one mind in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
and that you and your church would, as in
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray constantly
Implore
Implore the Holy Spirit, which means to “to call or pray for earnestly”2 to anoint ministries within the Church naming their leaders including the worship team, children’s ministries, evangelistic outreach, missions, and others.
Answers
Expect God to answer. Write down perceptions, insights as you are praying. Give thanks as God does answer.
Day 1 Reading
- Acts 1:1-14
References
- 1. Teykl, T. (Dr.). (1997), Acts 29: 50 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] Days to Invite the Holy Spirit. Prayer Point Pr. https://www.amazon.com/Acts-29-Days-Invite-Spirit/dp/1578920450/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ref_=nav_signin&&linkCode=ll1&tag=prayny-20&linkId=f53533b082e7ab3aa9a206bf08fd85db&language=en_US
- 2. Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.