Pentecostal Prayer
The Power of Prayer and Communion
This devotional is written by Ayozie Pollendine.
Acts 2:42-47
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Reflection
My family and I recently decided to have a time every evening, in this season of lockdown, where we pray together and take communion. It just felt like an important thing to do. I have found it to be a very strengthening thing, especially at this time of feeling bewildered and somewhat scattered. I find that in the breaking of bread, representing the breaking of Jesus' body for us, I find a gathering. A gathering of strength and of unity as a family, a gathering of my faith where some parts have strayed through fear and distraction. One of my daughters said that she has found comfort in the taking of communion because it reminds her that Jesus understands our pain. In remembering the breaking of his body and the shedding of his blood, we are reminded that he understands every pain or breaking we could go through.
The early church also devoted themselves to prayer. They had seen the Spirit at work and would have recognised their reliance on him. The Spirit himself helps us to pray even when we can't find the words. Prayer is a deep comfort especially in times where so many things feel out of control and extremely uncertain. I often feel like prayer is a closet I can climb into and feel the certainty of a God who sees all things and knows all things. I feel the certainty of his existence and his is the place where I can peg all my fears and hopes and everything in between.
So, communion and prayer were foundational in the life of the early church. In these things the early believers would have found a grounding and I pray that we can too.
Prayer: Lord help us to find refuge in your presence and be strengthened and unified by you. Amen.
The early church also devoted themselves to prayer. They had seen the Spirit at work and would have recognised their reliance on him. The Spirit himself helps us to pray even when we can't find the words. Prayer is a deep comfort especially in times where so many things feel out of control and extremely uncertain. I often feel like prayer is a closet I can climb into and feel the certainty of a God who sees all things and knows all things. I feel the certainty of his existence and his is the place where I can peg all my fears and hopes and everything in between.
So, communion and prayer were foundational in the life of the early church. In these things the early believers would have found a grounding and I pray that we can too.
Prayer: Lord help us to find refuge in your presence and be strengthened and unified by you. Amen.
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