Praying Together

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:12-14)

Before He ascended to Heaven, Jesus left the disciples with instructions: first, to wait on the Holy Spirit, then to go into the world and make disciples. It was a big job, and there was a lot of risk involved. After all, their leader had been murdered for what they were about to do. So instructing them, He left, ascending into Heaven. 

And the very first thing they did, knowing what was ahead, was gather together in prayer. Acts says they continued "in one accord," that is, they were united in will and purpose. This highlights the importance of coming together before God: that in Him we might be united, and those bonds strengthened, and that He be our central focus in what we do.

So often, we get so busy serving God that we neglect including Him in what we're doing. I'm blessed to work for a ministry that makes prayer a priority, where they have developed a culture of giving our day and our work into the hands of the Lord. We invite Him into our weekly meetings, and we pray again at the close. We pray for one another, united in Him, and for the work we're doing in His name. Throughout the week, it's not unusual to see two or three together in prayer. It's that important. 

Jesus said, "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them (Mt 18:20)." And that's really what it's about: recognizing that God isn't just waiting in Heaven for you to occasionally turn your eyes His way. He wants to be in our midst, working alongside us as we work for the Kingdom. And prayer is how we invite Him to do exactly that.