How do you react, if you truly believe in such open access to all Heaven’s grace and power? You make the most of it! Paul did. Prayer filled his waking thoughts and saturated his life; 4 and the Spirit guided him to insist on the same for his fellow-disciples.
… praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints… (Ephesians 6:18).
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.… Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God (Colossians 4:2,12).
Does this sound familiar? This reflects the lifestyle of the Son of God! Christ on earth depended on prayer. He devoted Himself to deep prayer.5 He taught His disciples that “they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Christ in you, therefore, causes you to “devote yourselves to prayer.” He leads by His own submissive example. Then He sets the same pattern for you to follow as you watch the early church.6 Just as Jesus took time to fast and pray before His mission, so the first disciples waited and prayed and received power for their mission (Acts 1:4,8,14; 2:1-4). When Jewish opposition mounted, the Christians “lifted their voices together to God” (Acts 4:24). Similarly, the mission from Antioch to the Gentile world began in the womb of worship, prayer and fasting.7
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off (Acts 13:2-3).
Through Paul, this mission eventually reached Corinth and Ephesus. How powerfully God answered devoted, faith-filled prayers! In just a few decades the Gospel was bearing fruit “all over the world” (Colossians 1:6).8
Such world-changing power – whether used for individuals or for many nations – is exactly what Jesus kept promising before He left the earth. He told His disciples that His return to the Father was for their advantage (John 16:7). His ascension would launch the Holy Spirit’s role as the Comforter,9 and Jesus’ role as King and High Priest.10 His reign and mediation for sinners would be so effective that, as He promised, even the power of miraculous signs would be surpassed.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:12-13).11
“In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24).
4. Research Subject – Paul and prayer: Acts 9:11; 13:1-2; 14:23; 16:25; 20:36; 21:5; 22:16; 26:29; 27:35; 28:8; Romans1:9-10; 10:1; 15:30-31; 2 Corinthians 1:10-11; 13:7,9; Ephesians 1:16-18; 3:14-17; 6:18-20; Philippians 1:4,9,19; Colossians 1:3,9-10; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 3:10; 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 3:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 1:4,6,22.
5. Research Subject – Jesus and prayer: Matthew 14:19,23; 26:26; 27:46; Mark 1:35; 6:46; 14:22-23,32-39; 15:32; Luke 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18,28-29; 11:1-13; 19:45-46; 21:36; 22:17,19,32,40-46; 23:34,46; 24:50-51; John 11:41; 12:28; Hebrews 5:7 cf. Matthew 4:2,10; 5:44; 6:5-15; 7:7-11; 9:38; Luke 18:1-8
6. Acts and prayer: Acts 1:14,24; 2:42,47; 3:1; 4:24-31; 6:4,6; 7:59; 8:15,22-24; 9:11,40; 10:9; 11:18; 12:5,12; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:25; 20:36; 21:5; 21:20; 27:35; 28:8,15 cf. Acts 10:2,25,30-31; 12:23; 14:14-15; 16:13-14; 18:7
7. Research Subject – Fasting: Exodus 34:28; 1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Kings 19:8; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Ezra 10:6; 8:21,23; Nehemiah 1:4; Leviticus 16:29 with Psalm 35:13; Isaiah 58:3-4; Matthew 4:2; 6:16-18; 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20; Luke 2:37; 5:33-35; 18:12; Acts 13:2-3; 14:23 cf. 1 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27; Philippians 4:11; Romans 8:35
8. The Gospel was spreading at such a strategic pace that Paul could even say, “This is the Gospel… that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven” (Colossians 1:23). Since Paul himself spoke of plans for reaching new regions, his meaning seems to be that world evangelism was well on its way to completion. Since that time, of course, new generations have been born. Many more people wait to hear the Gospel. May it so “run” in the power of prayer, 2 Thessalonians 3:1, that we can soon speak in similar terms!
9. John 16:7; the Greek term Paracletos means one called alongside to assist, counsel and comfort; hence English versions use terms like the Helper, the Intercessor, the Comforter and the Counselor.
10. Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 19:12; Acts 2:30-36; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27; Ephesians 1:20-23; Hebrews 4:14; 7:24-26
11. No one has performed greater miracles than Jesus, for He not only raised others from death, but also Himself, John 2:19. The “greater things,” therefore, refer to what He accomplishes in and through the church, building on His death, resurrection and return to the Father. As an example, consider the many thousands converted in Jerusalem, Acts 2-6. Nothing like that happened during Jesus’ time on earth. These greater results came from His completed sacrifice, His exalted position with the Father, and sending of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, the inclusion of masses of Gentiles was not seen during Jesus’ early ministry. The growing church shows power and wisdom far greater than any miracle, Ephesians 2:13-22; 3:8-10,20-21.
Picture: Symbols of Christianity: evidence that faith in Christ reached Ephesus.