The apostles’ doctrine was not the only thing in which the early Christians continued.  According to Acts 2:42, they also continued in fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.  In this blog, I want us to consider the habit of praying that the first-century church developed.

Prayer has always been important to the people of God.  The Patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all engaged in prayer regularly.  Moses, perhaps the greatest figure in Israel’s history, prayed every time there was a crisis in his life, and there is nothing to lead us to believe that he did not always pray, crisis or not.  All the great prophets of Israel can often be found in the posture of prayer.  For those who rely on and trust in God, prayer is a natural part of life.

The practice of praying continued with the first-century church.  Luke said they devoted themselves to it (Acts 2:42).  The word devoted in Acts 2:42 means, “to be earnest toward or to adhere closely to” (Strong).  We see an example of this when Peter was arrested and it looked like he was going to be executed.

Acts 12:1–5 (ESV)
¹ About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. ² He killed James the brother of John with the sword, ³ and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. ⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

This was a critical situation.  James, one of the chosen apostles of Christ, had already been put to death so it was a reasonable conclusion that Peter would meet the same fate.  Peter was known as one of the pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9).  We know, of course, that all the apostles had the same degree of authority, but the perception of the church was that Peter, James, and John were the leaders.  Thus, the idea of the church losing Peter so shortly after it began was, no doubt, very troubling to the rest of the church.  So, what did they do about it?  What could they do?  Their options were limited, but they did do the one thing they could—they gathered and prayed.

What we do in a crisis says a lot.  The fact that the church prayed during this difficult time reveals their trust and reliance on God.  Praying to God in times of need is something about the church that should never change.

Jesus gave a parable meant to teach His disciples to always pray (Luke 18:1).  Paul instructed the saints at Rome to be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12), and the church at Thessalonica to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  When writing to Timothy, a young evangelist whom he put in a position to have a great influence among God’s people, he simply wrote, “I will therefore that men pray everywhere” (1 Timothy 2:8).  The Bible Knowledge Commentary has this:   “Undoubtedly Paul wanted all Christians to offer up prayers for a widespread spiritual awakening among the populace and its rulers. Yet in the public assembly Paul specified that men (andras, lit., “males”) everywhere are to lead the congregation in prayer.”

The Lord’s church has always been a church that prays.  God does not want this to ever change.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.