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?
Specific:
Acts 1:24-25: The disciples pray for guidance in choosing a successor to Judas.
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Acts 4:24-30: A communal prayer for boldness after being threatened by the council.
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Acts 6:6: The apostles pray and lay hands on the seven chosen to serve.
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Acts 8:15: Peter and John pray for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit.
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Acts 8:18-22: Peter tells Simon to repent and pray that the thought of his heart might be forgiven.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Acts 8:24: Simon asks the apostles to pray for him.
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
Acts 9:40: Peter kneels and prays before raising Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead.
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Acts 10:2, 4, 30-31: Cornelius is described as a devout man who “prayed to God always”.
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
Acts 12:5: Peter is in prison, but “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him”.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Acts 12:11-12: The church gathers for prayer at Mary’s house. (For Peter)
11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Acts 13:2-3: Believers lay hands on Saul and Barnabas, fasting and praying, before sending them out.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 14:23: Paul and Barnabas appoint elders in every church, “with prayer and fasting”.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 16:13: Paul and his companions go out of the city to a riverside place of prayer.
13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Acts 16:16: Paul and others are going to the place of prayer when they meet the damsel with a spirit of divination.
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Acts 21:5: The believers at Tyre kneel on the shore and pray before Paul departs.
5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
Acts 22:17: Paul recounts praying in the temple and falling into a trance.
17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
Acts 28:8: Paul prays and heals Publius’s father.
8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
Things happened when people prayed.
Guidance, wisdom, boldness, Holy Spirit, power, repentance, healing,
deliverance from sin and prison, Gentiles receive the Word of God, elders ordained, demons cast out and missionaries sent.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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