The Birth of the Church (Part 4)

"One Accord"

Recently, we looked at one of the greatest events in human history as God sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers and to begin the church. We know that the disciples and their friends were patiently waiting in an upper room in Jerusalem, just as Jesus told them to do. They were unified in spirit and they were all on the same page.

But there is something else about this group of people that we need to look at, and Luke tells us about it.

Acts 1:14 (NKJV)
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

There are a few things that are consistently true of these early believers and one of those things is that they prayed. And on this very special day when God chose to send "His Promise" they were praying. We could learn from this!

However, if you're anything like me, prayer is one of the most difficult things to do consistently. But even though it's difficult, I believe prayer is absolutely essential for the hand of God to be in our lives. Let me show you why I think so.

God healed the womb of barren Hanna in response to her praying.
God sent fire down to consume Elijah's sacrifice when he prayed.
God gave 15 more years to dying Hezekiah when he prayed.
Fire consumed Solomon's dedication sacrifice after he prayed.
God forgave an adulterous fling and a murderous heart when David prayed.
God sent Ananias to pray for the blinded Saul because, "...behold he prayed".
Jesus was transfigured while He prayed.
God literally shook the house of a nervous church when they prayed.
God poured the Holy Spirit into a waiting church while they prayed.

If God did all this while people prayed, then why don’t we pray?

Now, may I ask you the question, "Why don't we pray?"