The Answer Is…
Rekindling The Ancient Flame of Prayer
The Four Pillars of the Early Church
- Built on an SUPERNATURAL EXPECTANCY
- Built on AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY
- Built on PRAYER & FASTING
- Built on the PURE GOSPEL
1:12 Then they 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.
(Ac 1:12–14).
The Church began in a prayer meeting (1:14)
The disciples chose a 12th disciple in a prayer meeting (1:21)
The disciples devoted themselves to the prayer meeting (2:42/6:4)
Peter healed the lame man on his way to a prayer meeting (3:1)
The disciples were praying when the house shook (4:31)
It was leaving a prayer meeting that Peter's shadow healed the sick (5:12)
The Disciples anointed the deacons in a prayer meeting (6:6)
Ananias found Saul after his conversion in a prayer meeting (9:11 & 22:17)
Peter was in a prayer meeting when he had his vision (10:9)
Cornelius knew to find Peter because of a prayer meeting (10:30)
A prayer meeting secured Peter's release from prison (12:12)
Barnabas and Paul’s Missionary journey began with a prayer meeting (13:3)
Paul & Silas in prison held a prayer meeting (16:25)
Paul in Miletus held a prayer meeting with the elders (20:36)
Paul’s led a prayer meeting on their ship when caught in a Nor-easter (27:29)
“If you want to know how popular the church is come on Sunday morning, if you want to know how popular the preacher is come on Sunday night, but if you want to know how popular God is, come to the prayer meeting” - Ravenhill
His Church was Birthed and Built by a Prayer meeting
1:14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
The Church was birthed in a prayer meeting
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
(Ac 2:42)
The Church was built by a prayer meeting
(2:41) 3000 added to the church
(4:4) 5000 added to the church
The Church was emboldened by a prayer meeting
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
(Ac 4:30–31)
We were welcomed into the church because of a prayer meeting
10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
(Ac 10:1–8)
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” (Ac 10:9–20).
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (Ac 10:44–47)
- There was a cry from the city
- There was someone listening from the rooftop
The church lives or dies by the prayer meeting
Jesus prayed at the Jordon when he has baptized
He prayed at the Mount of Transfiguration
He prays before He went to the cross.
He Modeled a life of prayer from beginning to end, should we pray any less?
We cannot have big results from our small praying. The law of prayer is the law of harvest: sow sparingly in prayer, reap sparingly; sow bountifully in prayer, reap bountifully. The trouble is we are trying to get from our efforts what we never put into them. - Ravenhill
Put it to action:
The 7:14 Prayer
Tuesday Prayer (All Day 8:30-4:30, 10-12 Intercession, 12-12:30 online)
National Day of Prayer Sat Sept 26
- 9am - 9pm in the Dome
- 12pm-2pm Prayer Walk starting at the common, around the court house
There is a CRY coming from our CITIES!
Is there a EAR listening from the ROOFTOPS?