#DailyDevotion The Apostles Were Of One Accord

Seventh Sunday after Easter

Acts 1:12 Then [the apostles] returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

 

So after our Lord Jesus Christ ascended the disciples returned to Jerusalem. They went back to the upper room, no doubt the same upper room they were at when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. There the Eleven, with the women, Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers. Now it’s interesting that Mary, Jesus’ mother and his brothers were there. In other places in the gospels, particularly his brothers, seemed opposed to Jesus’ ministry and mocked him. But now they are with the Apostles. No doubt Jesus had revealed himself to them during the forty days after his resurrection and now they believe in him.

 

What we note of particular importance is they were gathered with one accord devoting themselves to prayer. What were they praying for? Jesus had promised power from on high, the Holy Spirit. I think it is highly likely they were praying for that. Since Jesus told them they were going to go from Jerusalem unto all the earth proclaiming his name, I bet they were praying for wisdom, boldness, knowledge and the like to have them be good Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

This sets a good example for us in our congregations and families. While we do pray together a general prayer during the church service, do we gather together to pray for more specific needs of the congregation? Do we pray for the conversion of the unbelievers of our neighborhoods, towns, counties, state and country? Do we pray the Lord give us boldness to witness the faith we have in Christ Jesus? Are we praying for wisdom and knowledge for the best ways of reaching the lost and building up the current flock? Just some suggestions to think about.

 

The Lord wants us to pray. He wants us to pray together. He wants us to pray for each other. Jesus tells us to pray for workers for the harvest. St. Paul reminds us to pray for the political leaders who are over us. The good news is that we have the promise that as we bring these petitions to God our Father in Jesus’ name, he hears us. The Father answers us with yes! Now, he may not do it in the manner, number, time etc. that we think he should. But he does answer it yes in the manner, number, time etc. that is best for us and for the Church. It will be better than we had prayed for.

 

Heavenly Father, help us to pray together in unity all that you would have us to pray so that our prayers to you will end up and praise and thanksgiving for your son Jesus Christ our Lord in whose name we pray. Amen.