“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Acts 4:31
Dear HBIC Family,
One of the most ignored commands in our faith may be the call to pray as a community. We know we are to pray and that prayer is conversation with God that molds and shapes us. Many of us actively focus on our prayer lives, and do so rather often. And many of us are committed to developing and discovering new ways that we can pray through exercises or disciplines. However, I have found that quite often, it is easier for us to think of prayer individually as opposed to communally.
Yet, Scripture is clear, we are to also be praying together. The Book of Acts serves as a wonderful reminder that, as the Church was birthed and moved forth empowered by the Holy Spirit, they did all of that while being devoted to prayer. Praying together helps remind us that we are not alone because our sisters and brothers are with us, just like God is with us. Praying together helps unite us as one together as a family and in God’s purposes and will. Praying together also helps us remember that God is working in us as individuals and as a community.
As we continue exploring our current series, Acts: The Church Then and Now, we will continue to learn together about the power of communal prayer. This week we will rejoin Peter and John after the great healing miracle of the lame beggar at the temple gate, and after Peter preached to the many onlookers and shared the gospel and story of Jesus. In Acts 4, we find Peter and John before religious leaders, imprisoned, and then set free. However, it is also in this chapter that we learn again the power of communal prayer. To prepare for this week’s services, I invite you to read and meditate on Acts 4:1-31, especially verses 23-31. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:
What does this passage say about God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)?
What does this passage say about followers of God?
How does this passage invite you to become more like Jesus?
How do we, as a community, learn how to pray in this passage?
Years ago, before God took us on the journey of renewing our mission, vision, ministry, and work as HBIC, we agreed to pray as a community. We were not sure what God was calling us to, who God was calling us to be, and what God has for us in the future, and so we prayed. As we begin to come to an end of a trying season most of us have never imagined, it is time to pray as a community. As we look to stay faithful to that which God has called us, it is time to pray as a community. As we look forward to what God still has for us to do, it is time to pray as a community.
Praying as a community is one of the greatest gifts that God has called all of us to. God hears our prayers, and praying together grows our faith, our hearts, and our trust in God and the body of believers around us. So, let us continue to learn from the Church then as we live in the now, committed to praying for our todays and tomorrows, while being grateful for all of our yesterdays.
God bless you all.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank (Acts 4:31)