Praying as One

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. KJV

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Ac 1:14). ESV

Have you heard of the powerful principle of one accord? Have you ever considered the power we have if we operated in one accord.

Understanding it and putting it into practice can greatly benefit and enhance our lives individually, and especially as we gather together corporately. What does it mean to be in one accord?

The phrase “one accord” is taken from the Kings James Version of the Bible, and means, “of the same mind or spirit.” The New Kings James Study Bible explains it this way:

“This phrase…is made up of two words that mean, ‘same’ and ‘mind.’ The phrase speaks of people sharing the same mind or thinking like-mindedly. It does not refer to people who all think and feel the same way about everything, but to people who set aside personal feelings and commit themselves to one task

“The disciples had an intellectual unanimity, an emotional rapport, and volitional agreement in the newly founded church. In each of its occurrences, the phrase shows a harmony leading to action.”

It was there togetherness that caused the effectiveness. They followed instructions and returned to Jerusalem and waited for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Act 1:8 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 end of the earth.” (Ac 1:8).

Verse 14 lets us know that they did not just wait. They continued in prayer and supplication.

The Hymn writer Oh what peace we often forfiet o what needless pains we bear all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

May I meditate on Your precepts

And consider Your ways.

May I delight in Your statutes,

And not forget Your word.

Deal bountifully with Your servant,

That I may live and keep Your word.

Open my eyes that I may see

Wonderful things from Your law. (Psalm 119:15–18)

Boa, K. (1993). Handbook to prayer: praying scripture back to God. Atlanta: Trinity House.

We as the church today must look at this verse and gleam a lesson. Before the church was birthed they continue in prayer. If the Holy Spirit is the divine gift which empowers and guides the church, the corresponding human attitude towards God is prayer.

It is as the church prays that it receives the Spirit. So at the outset Luke emphasizes that the disciples spent the time of waiting for the Spirit in an attitude of continuous and united prayer.

I believe we need to be doing the same thing. We need to be in one accord praying. The fourth Sunday will celebrate the Pentecost Sunday. If we really want a pentecostal experience we need to start praying now. Praying in one accord for the Holy Spirit to fill this place.

The power comes when we are one. The same mind and the same spirit. Paul said to the Philippians 2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Php 2).

How do we do that? 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Php 2:5).

Being in one accord we will learn what to pray for

Prayer for the Coming the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. We need a refreshing in the church today. We need the Holy Spirit to fill us! The church is experiencing a crisis because we are operating with Holy Spirit deficiency! We need a Holy Spirit transfusion!

Prayer to the Holy Spirit Renewed Strength

Holy Spirit, fulfill in us the work begun by Jesus. In the same chapter of Philippians Paul said 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others

(Php 2:3–4). Its in chapter 1 we can draw strength 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ ( Php 1:6).

The world is spiraling out of control and we have decided to just watch. We have have been commissioned. We need renewed commitment to the work.

There is a prayer Let our prayer on behalf of the whole world be fruitful and unwavering. Hasten the time when each of us will attain a genuine spiritual life. Enliven our work that it may reach all human beings, all who have been redeemed by the Blood of Christ and all His inheritance.

Take away our natural presumption and uplift us with a holy humility, with reverence for God and selfless courage. Let no vain attachment impede the work of our state in life, nor personal interest divert us from the demands of justice. May no scheming on our part reduce love to our own petty dimensions.

This work is about fulfilling the Lords purpose for the Church.

That prayer goes on to say: May all be noble in us; the quest and the respect for truth, and the willingness to sacrifice even to the cross and death. And may all be accomplished in accord with the final prayer of the Son to His heavenly Father and in accord with the grace that Father and Son give through You, the Spirit of love, to the Church and to her institutions, to every soul and to all peoples. Amen.

Finally we need to pray for the Freedom of the Spirit

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty!

The gifts of the Spirit are diverse and many! We have many gifts in the Church today. We just need the freedom to use them to Gods glory!

The Roman writer said I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. ( Ro 12:1–8).

Divine Spirit, Your gifts are diverse. You call some to give clear witness to the desire for a heavenly home and to keep that desire green among the human family. You summon others to dedicate themselves to the earthly service of human beings and to make ready the material of the celestial realm by this ministry of theirs. Grant all of us Your freedom so that by putting aside love of self and bringing all earthy resources into the service of human life, we can devote ourselves to that future when humanity itself will become an offering accepted by God. Amen.