Good morning,
The Book of Acts (KJV) features over 30 references to prayer, portraying it as a central, consistent action of the early church to seek guidance, empowerment, and divine intervention. Key moments include communal prayer for direction (Acts 1:14, 1:24), prayer during persecution (Acts 4:31), and urgent prayer for rescue (Acts 12:5).
The prayers are broken down in general and specific. General, when people come in groups to pray. Specific, when a specific person, event, or location is the focus of prayer.
General:
Acts 1:13-14: The disciples, with Mary and Jesus’ brothers, continued “with one accord in prayer and supplication”.
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Acts 2:42: Early believers continued steadfastly in fellowship and “in prayers”.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 3:1: Peter and John go to the temple at “the hour of prayer”.
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Acts 4:31: The place shakes, and they are filled with the Holy Ghost following their prayer.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 6:4: The apostles commit themselves to “prayer, and to the ministry of the word”.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 10:9: Peter goes up to the housetop to pray and receives a vision.
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Acts 10:48: Peter instructs that Cornelius and his household be baptized.
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 11:5: Peter recounts his experience in Joppa, saying, “I was in the city of Joppa praying”.
5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
Acts 16:24-25: At midnight, Paul and Silas pray and sing praises in prison.
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Acts 20:36: Paul kneels down with the Ephesian elders and prays with them.
36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
Prayers were conducted daily, continually, steadfastly, expectantly, and everywhere.
Will we give ourselves over to prayer?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Leave a Reply