“Lord Jesus, please teach us to pray as we ought. It is in this place of prayer that we are truly being church. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
We find that the early church continued in prayers. Act 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Prayers to God were the atmosphere in which the early church lived and grew. Prayers were not a separate action but prayers were continuous and ongoing. They were always in conversation with God, both individually as well as when they were with one another.
Today, we are a far cry compared to the first church, regarding prayers. We find it a struggle to get His church to pray. Our prayer meetings are the least attended. Whereas, for the early church, prayers were the natural, first thing that took place. They prayed.
Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
The Christian life is a life of His Holy Spirit. We are led by His Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Prayer is the place where we are led by His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us to pray and as we pray in His Holy Spirit, He leads us and we are being children of God. Therefore, prayers in His Holy Spirit are what makes us children of God. Prayers to God is the atmosphere in which we live and move and have our being.
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and so, as we pray in His Holy Spirit, He leads us according to the will of God.
We live a life free of anxiety because we are always in the prayer closet with God. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Prayers to God is where we fulfil our role as His church. The church must engage with the world and bring the rule of God’s kingdom here on earth.
I Timothy 2:1-4 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, (4) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The devil is creating havoc in our world through man, who is operating under the control of the evil one. We are to move circumstances from where they are to where they ought to be, by praying. The above passage shows how circumstances ought to be, from God’s perspective.
The Lord’s eyes are on those who sigh and cry for the abominations of nations. Ezekiel 9:4 and the LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”
As we fulfil the task of His church to change our circumstances to the purposes of God, through prayer, we will have to confront our enemy, the devil.
This is the reason why we must be fully prepared for battle against the enemy of His church. Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
We must know that as we pray in His Spirit, we will crush our enemy. II Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
When His church prays to impact our circumstances for God’s kingdom, we see that the Lord emboldens us to carry the fight into the fortresses of the enemy.
Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, (30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (31) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Let us pray and thus be His church.