Making Prayer a Habit | Pastor Aaron Graham
Scripture
Acts 1:14 “They all joined together constantly in prayer”
The Importance of Devotion to Prayer
Prayer was central to the early Christians’ lives, becoming a regular rhythm for them. Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonian church emphasize this commitment:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
The phrase “pray continually” is profoundly simple yet deeply impactful. It can also be translated as “pray without ceasing” (KJV) or “never stop praying” (NLT). The goal is to engage in prayer incessantly, without unnecessary breaks. This continuous engagement in prayer reflects an intentional and ongoing relationship with God.
Similarly, Colossians 4:2 highlights devotion to prayer: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” This verse emphasizes the importance of intentionality in prayer.
Romans 12:12 instructs us to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Philippians 4:6 reassures us to “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Prayer should be integrated into every aspect of our lives, not just reserved for Sundays, meals, or bedtime. The disciples in Acts 1 exemplify this by remaining united in prayer despite their grief over Jesus’ departure, waiting for the promised Holy Spirit.
The Power of Communal Prayer
Waiting on God is hard, but waiting on God with others is much better. It’s not great to be stuck in the car on a long road trip, not able to move around much. But being stuck in a car with your closest friends is much better.
Church activities like weeks of prayer and fasting help us wait on God together, often for significant requests we are waiting for years or decades for. Such as the salvation of family members, healing from sickness, justice in our nation, or revival in our city. We may see glimpses of answered prayers that help encourage us, but there are other unanswered prayers we are waiting on.
The early church, though small, was united in their grief and mission. Acts 1:14 shows that they were “joined together constantly in prayer,” demonstrating the strength of unified prayer in overcoming grief and pursuing God’s mission.
The Benefits of Praying Together
Praying with others can enhance our prayer life. For instance, listening to experienced pray-ers can inspire and teach us. Many fear praying out loud due to worries about correctness, but prayer is simply a conversation with God.
Prayer helps us encounter God’s presence, manage anxiety, and discover His will. Integrating prayer into daily routines, such as during the Rooted program, helps prioritize seeking God above other commitments.
Making Prayer Easy and Accessible
Prayer should be seen as simply talking to God about what is going on in your life. One effective way to learn prayer is through the Lord’s Prayer, which serves as a model for expressing our needs and gratitude.
Praying the Psalms is another helpful practice. With 150 Psalms available, they offer models for honest and heartfelt prayer, as seen in David’s genuine expressions of emotion.
Prayer is flexible and can occur anytime, anywhere. Imagining Jesus with you during prayer or writing down your thoughts can deepen the experience. The accessibility of prayer means you can reach out to God directly, without waiting for specific times or places.
The Impact of Prayer
The early church’s commitment to prayer led to discernment and growth. Acts 1-2 depicts their dedication to prayer and waiting on the Holy Spirit, resulting in the empowerment and expansion of the early church. This unity was crucial for moving forward with purpose.
Historical examples, like the Fulton Street prayer meeting of 1858, illustrate how united prayer can spark significant revival. A. T. Pierson noted that every revival began with united prayer and lasted as long as those prayers continued.
The Rewards of Prayer
A life of prayer brings several rewards:
- A Thankful Heart: True prayer begins with gratitude, helping shift focus from entitlement to appreciation for what we have.
- Peace: Philippians 4:6-7 promises a peace that transcends understanding and guards our hearts and minds.
- Identity in Christ: Prayer realigns our identity with Christ, reinforcing our security and safety in Him.
- Answered Prayers: Keeping a record of prayers and their answers can be encouraging and affirming.
Jesus encourages us to pray with confidence, knowing God, our Father, delights in giving good gifts. Luke 11:9-13 and Mark 11:24 remind us of God’s readiness to answer our prayers, even if not always in the expected manner or timeline.
Conclusion
Prayer is a transformative practice that deepens our relationship with God, aligns us with His purposes, and fosters a sense of peace and purpose. Engaging in personal and corporate prayer helps us navigate life’s challenges and discern God’s will, reinforcing our faith and connection to Him.
By making prayer a regular part of our lives, we open ourselves to experiencing God’s presence, receiving His guidance, and witnessing His power in our lives and communities. Let us embrace this rhythm of prayer as modeled by the early church, integrating it into our daily lives in order to build a resilient faith in a secular age.
The above post is a summarized version of the full sermon. Please click the link below to watch the full message: