27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
02 Acts 14 08-20 THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA 56 Acts 14 20 The power of the gathered praying church
📖 Acts 14:08-20
2/56 – Tue, 16 Dec 2025 – *The power of the gathered praying church*- _Acts 14:08-20_ – THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA – _Acts 12:11-12_
_Acts 14:20 However, *when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up* and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe._
Paul was stoned and dragged out of the city, assuming to be dead, but when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up. The passage does not say explicitly that the disciples prayed but *we can assume that the disciples would have been in an attitude of prayer*. This attitude of prayer of the church is continuous.
In Troas, a young man fell from the window and died. _Acts 20:9-12 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. (10) But *Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him* said, "Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him." (11) Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. (12) And *they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted*._
We see the immediate response of Paul and all the believers were greatly comforted, when the young man lived.
Peter too had a similar experience. _Acts 9:40-41 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. (41) Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive._
When the body of Christ gathers together to pray, we can expect phenomenal miracles to take place. _Matthew 18:19-20 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."_ This is the blessing that the Lord has given to the church.
The early church witnessed mighty miracles and prayer was ongoing. _Acts 2:42-43 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, *and in prayers*. (43) Then fear came upon every soul, and *many wonders and signs were done through the apostles*._
We read of how the early church prayed. _Acts 4:24 So when they heard that, *they raised their voice to God with one accord and said*: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,_ This is what they asked from the Lord. _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*._
Miracles, signs and wonders followed the ministry of the apostles and they were all together in one accord in an attitude of prayer. _Acts 5:12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch._ / _Acts 5:14-16 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, (15) so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. (16) Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed._
When Peter was in prison the church prayed and we know the miracle of Peter’s release from prison. _Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but *constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church*._ / _Acts 12:11-12 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, *"Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."* (12) So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where *many were gathered together praying*._
The church is commissioned to come together, as often as possible, to pray for the needs of the people. _James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him *call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him*, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (15) And *the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up*. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (16) Confess your trespasses to one another, and *pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much*._
```The crowd in Lystra swung in an instant from one intense emotion to its opposite extreme. Yet, during this emotional storm, there were disciples who had come to Christ through the healing of the lame man. They gathered and witnessed Paul rise and recover after being stoned.```