In our recent reasons to pray, we have seen that the example of Jesus' prayer life was one that the New Testament writers adopted for themselves and also urged upon the New Testament church. What we want to see today is whether the church considered devotion to prayer to be the domain only of Apostles and other "super-Christians", or whether there is evidence in Scripture that they followed the example and teaching both of their Savior and of their Apostles. The following texts indicate that the New Testament church also was devoted to prayer:
Acts 2:42 (NAS) — 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 4:23–24 (NAS) — 23 When they [Peter and John] had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to
them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
Acts 12:5 (NAS) — 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.
Acts 12:12 (NAS) — 12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
In addition, some of the instruction to the church in the New Testament epistles assumes that the church will be praying, but requests an interest in those prayers:
Romans 15:30 (NAS) — 30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
2 Corinthians 1:11 (NAS) — 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.
1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NAS) — 25 Brethren, pray for us.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NAS) — 1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
Hebrews 13:18 (NAS) — 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.
The picture we have from all these texts is of a community that not only understood the value of prayer and witnessed its practice among their leaders, but sought to emulate them in this, as they were imitating Christ Himself.
So, armed with the teaching of Christ, His personal example, the teaching of the Apostles and their personal example, together with the example from our brothers and sisters in the New Testament churches, let us stir ourselves up to walk where they have gone before, to become men and women of prayer. We can re-dedicate ourselves to this goal in the week that lies ahead!
If you have never been to a prayer meeting or other gathering where prayer is offered in your fellowship (perhaps a home Bible study), there is no time like the present to begin that habit!
