Sermon Snapshot: Devoted to Prayer
In Acts 2:42-47, the early church's commitment to four essential practices transformed their community and fueled their mission: the study of the Word, prayer, fellowship, and communion. In this sermon, we explored how these practices weren’t just routines—they were the very foundation of their vibrant and growing faith. We were challenged to ask ourselves: Are we as devoted to these practices in our own lives?
The Scripture Focus - Acts 2:42-47
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
The Power of Devotion to Prayer
The early church’s devotion to prayer was not passive or sporadic—it was a constant, active part of their lives. In Acts 2:42, they “devoted themselves to prayer,” meaning they prioritized it and were deeply committed to making it a regular practice. This kind of devotion isn’t just about talking to God; it’s about aligning our hearts with His and opening ourselves to His guidance and transformation.
“Prayer doesn’t have to be perfect—it has to be personal. Prayer isn’t just a task on a checklist; it’s how we stay tethered to the One who knows us and loves us.”
Why Devotion to Prayer Matters
Prayer was essential for the early church’s unity and strength. It’s through prayer that they found guidance, strength, and boldness to live out their mission. Similarly, our devotion to prayer connects us to the very source of life, direction, and purpose. Without prayer, we can’t grow spiritually or accomplish what God has called us to do. Prayer allows us to be in tune with God’s will and empowers us to live it out. As James 5:16 reminds us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
“The goal of prayer is not religion—it’s relationship. It’s about growing closer to God, about knowing God, about our personal relationship with a personal God.”
Devoting ourselves to Prayer
Just as the early church devoted themselves to prayer, we are called to ask ourselves: How devoted are we to prayer in our daily lives? Prayer is more than a ritual—it’s a powerful practice that invites God’s presence and power into every area of our lives. Are we truly prioritizing prayer, or is it something we fit in when it’s convenient? The early church teaches us that prayer must be at the center of our community and individual lives.
“This relentless practice of prayer isn’t just something the early church all of a sudden decided to do – it was modeled after Jesus’ life. Jesus’ life was sustained by prayer, driven by prayer, and empowered by prayer. And so if we want to live like Jesus lived, if we want to be more like Him, shouldn’t we want to pray like Jesus prayed?”
The Blueprint of Prayer
So often, what keeps us from praying bold prayers is that we don’t know where to start. The Lord’s Prayer taught in Luke 11 and Matthew 6 serves as a blueprint for how we engage with God. We start by worshiping Him (hallowed be your name), then we seek His will (your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven), rely on His provision (give us this day our daily bread), ask for forgiveness (and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors), and pray for strength(and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one). When we pray with this focus, our hearts are aligned with God’s will, and we become more like Him.
“The Lord’s prayer is an outline, it’s a blueprint – and it keeps us focused on God and growing closer to Him. And when our prayer life is centered on knowing God, we become closer to him, and prayer becomes not just something we sometimes do but a way that we live”
Living Out Our Devotion
The early church didn’t just read the Bible—they lived it. Their devotion led to action. They were radically generous, committed to fellowship, and empowered to share the good news. The result? “The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” When we devote ourselves to the Word, it’s not just for our own growth; it’s for the growth of God’s kingdom. Our commitment to Scripture will naturally lead to transformation in our lives and the lives of those around us.
Your Next Step: Devote Yourself to Prayer
This week, take a step to deepen your devotion to prayer. Prayer is how we deepen, grow, and sustain our relationship with God, because prayer isn’t for God it’s for us. It furthers our relationship with God, not our religion. It aligns our hearts with God’s. It sustains our personal relationships ith a personal God.
So, set aside intentional time each day to seek God’s presence, listen to His voice, and pray for His will to be done in your life and the lives of those around you. Let’s commit to becoming a people who are devoted to prayer, just as the early church was.
“If you are feeling like your prayer life is a little lukewarm, if you’ve felt intimidated by the thought of prayer, if you felt distant from the God who loves you, if you’ve felt unsatisfied by your prayer life this is your moment to embrace a devotion like the early church’s, to commit yourself to not flashy or showy prayer but honest ones and real ones. ”
Reflection Questions:
How does your current prayer life reflect the devotion seen in the early church? Are there areas where you feel called to deepen your commitment to prayer?
When you pray, do you approach God with the same sense of urgency and intimacy as the early church did? What changes can you make to cultivate a deeper connection with Him through prayer?
Prayer is not just about asking but about surrendering to God’s will. How often do you pray for God’s will to be done, rather than simply asking for what you want or need? How can you make this a more central part of your prayer life?
Let’s commit together to be a community that is devoted to prayer, seeking God’s presence and allowing Him to shape us into the people He’s calling us to be.
