Devoted

“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer…..” Acts 1:14

My estimation is that I have been praying for close to 45 years. God blessed me with the wonderful privilege of having two parents who love and serve Him faithfully. They taught me by word and by example to love God and to pray daily.  And I have. I pray gratefully before each meal I eat. I ask for safety when I set out on a journey. I pray for my wife, my son, my extended family. I pray for our church–its health, its children, its testimony, its impact in the community. I pray for wisdom as I do my part in leading this church. I pray–at some time or another, in some way or another, for someone or another–every day.

But then the other day, I read Acts 1:14. The disciples, with Jesus’ family and followers, were huddled together, unsure of what would happen next. Jesus was gone. The glorious excitement of the resurrection had faded into the clouds as He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). And in unity, they devoted themselves to prayer. What happened next–the arrival of the Holy Spirit, the conversion of thousands and the birth of the church–revolutionized the world! And I asked myself, in all of my praying, have I ever devoted myself to prayer? Honestly, I don’t know that I have. I’ve prayed thousands of times; perhaps you have too. But what would happen if we truly devoted ourselves to prayer? Friends–I believe God would change lives and transform communities (Acts 2:41). Let us fully submit ourselves to His purpose. Let us beg Him to build His kingdom. Let us leave self-interest behind. Let us devote ourselves to prayer.

-Pastor Mike