Acts 4:23-31 • Praying Together
Communal Prayer
What does it mean?
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Communal prayer means to pray with others. This can take place during church services, or it could be a structured meeting of Christians who have arranged to pray together. This type of prayer can help Christians connect with each other as well as God and help to strengthen the Christian community.
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I do not use the word "communal" lightly
Communal - shared by all members of a community; for common use
Common, community, commune, communion
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Where your heart is - Shared values
It is where you (your heart) live.
Life together
Unity
Rarely attained
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Analyze this prayer
Keep your Bibles open!
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What was the early church's reaction to threats?
Reported to their friends - Why?
They lifted their voices TOGETHER!
Together is the key
Unity in prayer
++United hearts and minds
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When we are praying together are we truly united?
Or are we praying as individuals in near physical proximity?
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The church lifted their voices in unity.
What was their focus?
Their focus was God - Sovereign Lord
What does Sovereign Lord mean?
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Sovereign
supreme ruler
supreme authority
acknowledged leader
Lord - one who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler
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Recognized God as Supreme Ruler to be obeyed
Recognized God as creator
Recognized God as foreteller
Prayed back God's own words
Recognized the Word's fulfillment
It was God's plan
Sovereign Lord
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God knows what has happened, what is happening, what will happen in the future and what would happen under different circumstances.
Eph. 1:11 ... works all things according to the counsel of his will ...
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They knew they were living out what God had said would happen.
In true unity the church proclaimed God as Sovereign, Lord, Creator, Revealer, Orchestrator, Planner
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The first 2/3 of the prayer was praising God.
Then they make their request
Look at the threat
Grant us "all boldness"
While You keep working
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They turned their focus back to God
Lord, You keep hallowing the Name of Jesus!
Hallowed be Thy Name - Keep making holy
Healing, Signs and Wonders
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What Happened?
The place was shaken
They were filled with the Holy Spirit
Continued to speak the word of God with boldness
Why do we fall so short of the example they set for us?