Joyful Unity

Acts 1:12-14 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
 
OVER the years some churches have separated men and women in the church sanctuary for worship and Bible study. Some have created a solemn, almost mournful approach to God in corporate worship. These groups must have forgotten or not known of this Scripture.
   You can say that this is the first worship celebrating the risen, ascended, returning Jesus. Men and women are together. In his gospel Luke confirms their joy: Luke 24:51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.  
   Together as one joyful church Jesus’ closest followers and his earthly family rejoice the Lord is king!
   They also prayed, didn’t they? We can overlook this because we often overlook prayer as central to worship. With his words and example, Jesus had taught his disciples to pray to the Father. They might have prayed, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (from Matthew 6:9-13)  
   They certainly would have honored the Father, whose name is holy on their lips and in their hearts. Surely they prayed for his kingdom to come very soon because they had just learned Jesus is returning. After watching Jesus minister with a servant’s heart, even to the cross, the disciples knew that to pray your will be done on earth as it is in heaven is a total submission to God’s ordained purpose for our lives.
   To pray for daily bread is an understanding God provides all things. As Jesus had commissioned the 11 to minister the gospel into the world, the disciples prayed God would give them what they needed for life and for ministry.  
   They prayed to be forgiven. They prayed they would forgive others. Many people would persecute them. It was essential they had the faith to forgive all sin against them. We can only see the world through Jesus’ eyes when our hearts are free of accusation.
   The worshiping group likely prayed “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” The devil would attempt many times to turn Jesus’ faithful congregation from their appointed ministry. Unforgiving hearts will not effectively minister God’s grace.
   May God’s prayer be an effective tool for your prayers at home and in church.