Prayer in the church (3)

Prayer was at the centre of the life of the early church

They prayed when they met together

Acts 1:14 KJV 1900

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

See also Ac 2:42; Ac 4:23–31; Ac 12:12; Ac 20:36; Ac 21:5

They prayed about the selection and ordination of Christian leaders

Acts 13:2–3 KJV 1900

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. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

See also Ac 1:24–25; Ac 6:6; Ac 14:23

They prayed during persecution

Acts 12:5 KJV 1900

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

See also Ac 7:59–60; Ac 12:12; Ac 16:22–25

They prayed for healing

Acts 9:40 KJV 1900

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.

See also Ac 28:7–8

The apostles’ teaching on prayer in church life

The importance of prayer

Colossians 4:2 KJV 1900

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

See also Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18; 1 Th 5:17; 1 Ti 2:1; 1 Pe 4:7

Prayer for the spread of the gospel

Colossians 4:3–4 KJV 1900

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

See also Eph 6:19–20; 2 Th 3:1

Prayer for the sick

James 5:14 KJV 1900

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

Prayer for sinners

1 John 5:16–17 KJV 1900

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

See also Jas 5:16

Prayer for God’s servants

Romans 15:30 KJV 1900

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

See also 2 Co 1:11

Orderly conduct of public prayer

1 Corinthians 11:4–5 KJV 1900

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

See also 1 Co 11:13–15

The practice of the apostles

Prayer was central to their ministry

Acts 6:3–4 KJV 1900

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

They prayed for the church

Colossians 1:9–10 KJV 1900

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

See also Eph 1:16–21; Eph 3:16–19; Php 1:9–11; Col 1:3; 1 Th 1:2; 2 Th 1:11–12