Start with Prayer

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You are reading the daily devotion from NotReligion.


October 24, 2008
Key Passage: Acts 1:12-26
Topic: Prayer; Obedience/Discipleship
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Acts 1:14, ESV)

How do you prepare for any great work? Start with prayer.

These were crucial times for Jesus' disciples. They were "on their own"--Jesus had returned to heaven and the promised Holy Spirit hadn't come yet. So, what did they do? The best possible thing: They prayed.

Not fragmented individual prayer times but in fellowship with each other. They were in "one accord" or united in prayer, sharing the same focus, the same purpose, waiting and seeking God together. Wonder what those prayer sessions sounded like? Probably not like one of our "grocery list" prayers.

They devoted themselves; it was an ongoing activity, not just a few minutes here and there but over time, day in and day out. They were truly committed. Even the decision to find another apostle to replace Judas was made after a time of prayer.

Through these days of prayer, God was uniting and strengthening these people. He was preparing and directing them, because they were about to begin the next phase of His eternal plan: the Church was being born. And it would change the world.

As you go through Acts, you'll see concentrated times of prayer again and again, both personal and collective. Prayer plows the ground and it prepares the heart. It's the cord that plugs us into the power of God so we can do His work.

If you want to do something great for God, you must begin with prayer. Seek His face, His power, His purpose and let Him direct the great work of your life.






© 2008 NotReligion