DAY 5 / WHERE ARE YOU STRONG?

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:14)

Everyone is devoted to something. To be “devoted” literally means “to be strong toward.” Some are strong towards their work, others to video games or recreation. Some to their family and some to ministry to others.

Here are some questions to help you evaluate your own life.

·      What do I want to do more than anything else?

·      Where do I spend my time, thoughts, and energy?

·      What is the most important priority in my day?

·      What do I feel I must do each day, even if I don’t achieve other things?

The believers in the early church “were continually devoting themselves to prayer.” This devotion was not sporadic or occasional; it was unceasing. Over and over, every day, they chose to turn to God in loving communion with Him. This was the “prayer without ceasing” that God tells us is the foundation of a true believer’s life.

These early believers didn’t just put prayer as a topic on the “Event Calendar.” Notice that they were “devoting themselves” to unceasing prayer. Every believer took this as their solemn task and greatest opportunity. It was personal, daily, and hourly, for they realized that God’s presence was their greatest need and that their presence with the Father in prayer was also HIS great desire! Prayer, and prayer alone, ushers us into the presence of God.

Without prayer, we are not communing with the Head of the church. Without prayer, we have no power. Without prayer, we have no direction. Prayer brings God into the equation, and as we saw yesterday, prayer is the essential foundation for a life, a family, a church, and a nation.

PRAY

Spend some moments in prayer evaluating your priorities before God. What are you devoting yourself to? Where are you spending your time? If prayer is not on the list, you are missing the beginning point for vibrant Christianity. Would you pray today that you, and that our church together, would be “continually devoting themselves to prayer?”