January 14 Constantly in Prayer

cts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 
 
IF you missed the last few days’ teachings, note I have only left Luke for a few days to focus on prayer. My goal here is to encourage us all toward prayer’s power to revive lives, the church, cities and even nations.
   Prayer is often a challenge for me, and I think for many. We can find it difficult, as Jesus’ disciples did, to know how to pray and what to say. Sadly, I believe my problem is not trusting God enough to hear and answer my prayers. Do you feel those same faith challenges, too?
   These past few weeks, I believe the Holy Spirit has been helping me overcome these faith challenges. One way is reading a book called “Firefall 2.0 How God Shaped History through Revivals” by Malcolm McDow & Alvin R. Reid. As the title says, it relates the history of God initiating revival into his people to draw them into salvation, to give life to his church and to change cultures. “Revival” is basically defined as turning from sin’s death to becoming alive in God.
   Now here is how revival and prayer connect. Since Jesus ascended to Heaven, do you know when God acted to ignite each revival? Read again the Scripture above. What were Jesus’ followers doing? “They all joined together constantly in prayer.”
   You might say, “I know I/we need to pray.” I have often spoken those words, too. But I believe I have been too blind to prayer’s power. Surely it is my sin nature that causes my mind to doubt prayer is God’s means toward revival. Also, I believe it is the church’s customs, including those I’ve followed as a pastor, that have limited my mind toward prayer. We can easily become too consumed with form while negating faith.
   Let’s look tomorrow, then, at some excerpts from “Revival 2.0” to see how prayer has been God’s tool to revive individuals, churches, communities, nations and even the world at times. Meanwhile, make the Lord’s Prayer your prayer. Where the Scripture says “our” “us” say, instead, “my”, “me” and “I”.
 
Prayer: My Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be your name. I pray your Kingdom come, your will is done in my life as it is in Heaven. Give to me this day my bread. Forgive my sins as I forgive those who sin against me. Lead me not into temptation. Deliver me from evil. For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.