PRAYER IN THE CHURCH JESUS STARTED

“Spiritual Insights from...” Paul Vieira#2

PRAYER IN THE CHURCH JESUS STARTED

The early Christians followed the example of Jesus. The church that
Jesus started prayed a lot. The secret to the explosive growth of the
church in Acts was the constant flow of intercession that was offered up
before the Lord. The church was launched in Jerusalem out of a ten day
prayer gathering. (Acts 1:14, 24) It was in their genetics. That prayer
meeting swept three thousand people into the kingdom of God in one
day. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42, emphasis mine)

Luke 11.1

“Spiritual Insights from...” Paul Vieira

“Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) I believe they (the disciples) began to

make a connection between the effectiveness of Jesus’ ministry and His

personal prayer life. They saw a correlation that was undeniably powerful.

They too wanted this power. They desired to walk like Jesus did,

recognizing that it had something to do with prayer.

As I read through the gospels looking at Jesus’ prayer life, I noticed

that something specific usually happened in the context of prayer.

Prayer would inevitably lead to a major revelation of Jesus.

“Spiritual Insights from....” Eugene Peterson - (Intro. to 'HEBREWS' Message translation)

“It seems odd to have to say so, but too much religion is a bad thing. We can't get too much of God, can't get too much faith and obedience, can't get too much love and worship. But 'religion' – the well-intentioned efforts we make to 'get it all together' for God - can very well get in the way of what God is doing for us. The main and central action everywhere and always is 'what God has done, is doing and will do for us'. 

 JESUS is the revelation of that action. Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God's action revealed in Jesus. Our part in the action is the act of faith.

But more often than not we become impatiently self-important along the way and decide to improve matters with our two cents worth. We add on, we supplement, we embellish. But instead of improving on the purity and simplicity of Jesus, we dilute the purity, clutter the simplicity. We become fussily religious, or anxiously religious. We get in the way.

That's the time to read and pray our way through the letter to the Hebrews again....”