"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Sunday (May 19) is the day of Pentecost, also called the Feast of Shavuoth by Jews. Observed 50 days after the Easter holy-day, Pentecost traditionally celebrated the giving of the Ten Commandments, but for believers in Jesus Christ, it now means so much more. We celebrate God's pouring out of the Holy Spirit on His people (the Holy Spirit who now writes God's laws on our hearts instead of tablets of stone!). The Pentecost that occurred in Acts chapter 2 also sparked the beginnings of the church's focus on missionary efforts to the "ends of the earth".
There are so many points of doctrine, inspiration, and application that could be discussed from the description of this particular day of Pentecost, but one thing that has impressed me lately is what the believers were doing while waiting for this promise of power from on high. It says, "They all joined together constantly in prayer," (Acts 1:14). So, if they prayed constantly, it is very likely in Acts 2 when they were "all in one place" and the Spirit fell that they were praying together (easy logic). And, I was reminded of the need for us to pray together. Oh, I know personal prayer time is so very important, but how often do any of us pray with other believers, corporately? I mean, really pray. Not just a blessing over a meal or an introductory time before a Bible study. I am sad to say for most of us that it is very rare. Yet, in those times that I have spent time in prayer with fellow believers in Christ, I am always strengthened, encouraged, and blessed. So why not do it more often? I am challenged, and I want to challenge you too.
Do you realize that, historically, the most significant trends in the church are prefaced by movements of extraordinary prayer? Just for example, consider Jeremiah Lanphier's story. He was a simple businessman who, burdened by the needs around him, invited others to meet with him in prayer. His prayer meeting started with only a few, and it grew, and it grew, until....the result, oh, just a New York City revival! I would like to see something like that in my lifetime. What are we waiting for? Let's be ready and willing to labor in the work of prayer...and do it together!
"In prayer we leave the business of time for that of eternity, and
intercourse with men for intercourse with God." Jeremiah Lanphier
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