TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship… and to prayer…. praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42, 47
Read: Acts 2:42-47
Listen: Acts 2
TODAY’S MESSAGE
For two weeks, guest Pastor John Dickson challenged us with Luke’s description of the first church formed after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Luke’s historical account of God moving in the lives of these first believers shows them as students of the Gospel and as family of believers who become an ideal or “dream” church. They devoted themselves to prayer and praising God in a way that gained favor with others and caused their numbers to grow.
This is not the prescription of a perfect church, but the description of what an ideal church can look like—and it all starts with prayer. Our last two sermon series looked at the power of prayer through the laments in Psalms and Jesus’s instruction on how we should pray with The Lord’s Prayer. Luke shows us the early church’s devotion to prayer is foundational, leading them to a deep faith and zealous outreach.
Devotion to prayer shows we are first and foremost dependent on the power of God in our lives. This translates to praying in our Chair Time, Circle (small groups) and family time. It means a continuous attitude of prayer as we go through our day.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
How committed are you to prayer? Maybe you want to be but struggle knowing how. From gratitude to walking prayers, become devoted to prayer with a new way to pray at adabible.org/prayerguide.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is Acts 17.
