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If using Mobile device, Refine Search may be located at end of page.
To receive copies Words of Life Email The Apostolic Church of Queensland.
This text tells us of the first community of Christians coming together, all the then known Christians numbering approximately 120. We see they had no trouble to be in one accord or united in prayer and supplication to the Almighty God. We must also remember at this time they had not yet been imbued with the power of the Holy Ghost, for the day of Pentecost had not yet come. Even without this guiding Spirit, they were still able to be of one accord in prayer, because they knew that, that was the key that would bring all God-fearing people the blessings of God.
What a pity this lesson in many cases, has been lost down through the ages, despite the fact that mankind prides itself on the many advancements it has made in the way we live our lives, compared to that community almost 2 000 years ago. One can only imagine the great power we would see if we could achieve today, to be able to bring all Christians in one accord in prayer and supplication. We find it near impossible to even achieve this with a community of even 120 members.
A classic example is in a farming area, some farmers pray for general rain, others do not want it yet, as the field is not ready for planting. Some are harvesting and would regard it a nuisance, others with irrigation do not require it, and also if it came it might increase supply and the price of the crop will drop and so it goes. There is certainly not one accord in those prayers.
If there is no unity, it is very difficult to see the fulfilment of the Lord’s promise as contained in Isaiah 65:24, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking I will hear.” The Bible is so full of testimony that these words are true and have come to pass through united prayers and supplications being offered. We can read how the children of Israel had no water, only a contaminated stream, but God answered the united prayer and showed Moses a tree which, when he had cast into the water, the waters were made sweet.
How Hezekiah and his people were delivered from their enemies by united prayer. The many times the early Church, when they were oppressed received great strength as written in Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” There is no doubt there are many times down through the ages, that this has been experienced by those at the time and not passed on.
Because of this, many look back but do not see the same can happen today. A recent example we should all take note of and be prepared to quote, is the recent Bush Fires in Australia. We all witnessed the terrible destruction and how out of control they were despite the use of facilities from Australia wide. We know our leader, on the Saturday, made a public appeal to all Christians on the Sunday, to come together in one accord in prayer and supplication, to ask the Lord for help. Because it touched all hearts, this was achieved Nationwide, and although the weather forecasts showed no rain at hand, on Sunday evening, rain fell so that the danger was averted.
This modern-day miracle in answer to united prayer should be an example to us all in our various communities, to strive to be as that first Apostolic Community mentioned in our text “To continue at all times with one accord in prayer and supplication.”