When the Church Prays
Ron Dunn
Acts 4:23-33
If you study the history of revival, you will discover this undeniable fact: In the recorded history of the church there has never been a mighty outpouring of the Spirit in Revival which did not begin in the persistent, prevailing prayer of a desperate people. Revival has never come because men ''planned'' it and put it on the calendar.
I. WHEN THE CHURCH PRAYS THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS PERCEIVED.
''The place was shaken where they were assembled together.'' This expression symbolizes God's presence and activity. You'll find a similar phrase in Acts 16:26. Imprisoned, Paul and Silas conduct a midnight prayer and praise service and ''suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken...'' This is a manifestation of the presence of God. It is God manifesting Himself, letting the people know He is present and has the situation under control.
But, you say, isn't God always present when two or three are gathered together in Christ's name? Yes, but God being present doesn't necessarily mean we perceive His presence. Jacob could say of Bethel: ''Surely God was in this place and I knew it not.''
When the church goes to its knees in real prayer, the presence of God is perceived. Suddenly we know He is with us, working, moving, answering.
We must pray in unison. They were all there and they were all doing the same thing. It wasn't just the apostles who prayed. They all prayed. Here was a group of believers concerned enough to gather in one place for one purpose--to pray. This is a testimony to united prayer.
We must pray in unity. ''They prayed with one accord.'' Not only were they all there and all praying but they were all praying for the same purpose. There wasn't a man over here praying for his pet project and another huddled in this corner praying for his pet project. They were gathered in unity with one heart and one soul. It reminds me of the verse in the Old ...
Ron Dunn
Acts 4:23-33
If you study the history of revival, you will discover this undeniable fact: In the recorded history of the church there has never been a mighty outpouring of the Spirit in Revival which did not begin in the persistent, prevailing prayer of a desperate people. Revival has never come because men ''planned'' it and put it on the calendar.
I. WHEN THE CHURCH PRAYS THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS PERCEIVED.
''The place was shaken where they were assembled together.'' This expression symbolizes God's presence and activity. You'll find a similar phrase in Acts 16:26. Imprisoned, Paul and Silas conduct a midnight prayer and praise service and ''suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken...'' This is a manifestation of the presence of God. It is God manifesting Himself, letting the people know He is present and has the situation under control.
But, you say, isn't God always present when two or three are gathered together in Christ's name? Yes, but God being present doesn't necessarily mean we perceive His presence. Jacob could say of Bethel: ''Surely God was in this place and I knew it not.''
When the church goes to its knees in real prayer, the presence of God is perceived. Suddenly we know He is with us, working, moving, answering.
We must pray in unison. They were all there and they were all doing the same thing. It wasn't just the apostles who prayed. They all prayed. Here was a group of believers concerned enough to gather in one place for one purpose--to pray. This is a testimony to united prayer.
We must pray in unity. ''They prayed with one accord.'' Not only were they all there and all praying but they were all praying for the same purpose. There wasn't a man over here praying for his pet project and another huddled in this corner praying for his pet project. They were gathered in unity with one heart and one soul. It reminds me of the verse in the Old ...
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