When God's Family Prays

There are several hundred references to prayer in the Bible and many of those originate from the book of Acts. The first Christians were a passionate, praying people. Of all the verses I surveyed, I found this one especially interesting: “But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray” (Acts 21:5). Two observations:

First, it shows the church praying in a non-traditional context. They are on the beach praying. The point being, prayer is not limited to a church building. Some folks would like to keep it there, but the Bible teaches we can pray anywhere, anytime, public or private. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph. 6:18).

Here’s another observation: the first Christians prayed for the real needs of others. Paul and his entourage were getting ready to depart to continue their missionary journey in this passage. I imagine the believers are praying for his safety, praying for his success in reaching souls, praying for his protection from the enemy, praying for the lost. You know what they’re doing? They are agreeing together as one body as they bring their requests and thanksgiving before the living God. “…in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6).

One more thing, notice that the whole family is involved in the action. I love this! “All the disciples and their wives and their children.” They’re all praying.

Regardless of background, gender, age, or generational differences, they are joining their hearts together in worshiping the Lord God through prayer. Brothers and sisters, that is exactly how God wants us to approach him.

-Billy-