A. WHAT WAS THE FOCUS OF PRAYER?
1. We should pray for leadership. “O Lord . . . You know every heart. Show us which . . . You have chosen to replace Judas” (Acts 1:24, NLT).
2. That the Holy Spirit will minister among us. “They prayed for the new Christians to receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:15, NLT).
3. That sinners will be saved. Paul prayed for Agrippa, “I pray to God that . . . you . . . might become the same as I, except for these chains” (Acts 26:29, NLT).
4. That missionaries will go. “So pray the Lord . . . of the harvest . . . to send more workers for His fields” (Matt. 9:38, NLT). “So after more fasting and prayer . . . sent them” (Acts 13:3, NLT).
5. For physical safety. “And prayed for daylight” (Acts 27:29, NLT).
6. For healing. “Prayed for him and laying hands on him to heal him” (Acts 28:8).
7. For food. The ship to Rome, they fasted, then Paul said, “Please eat something . . . gave thanks to God before them all” (Acts 27:34-35, NLT).
8. For a safe journey. “When Paul saw them, he thanked God” (Acts 28:15, NLT).
B. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY PRAYED?
1. Pentecost. “Stay here (Jerusalem) until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power” (Luke 24:49, NLT). “They all met continually for prayer (Acts 1:14, NLT).
2. An earthquake. “After this prayer, the building . . . shook and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:31). “Paul and Silas were praying (proseuchomai) and singing hymns (hymnos) . . . suddenly there was a great earthquake” (Acts 16:25-26, NLT).
3. Resuscitation (return to life). “Peter . . . knelt and prayed . . . she sat up” (Acts 9:40).
4. Healing. “Peter and John went to the Temple at the hour of prayer . . . in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk” (Acts 3:1, 6, ELT).
5. Miraculous release. “The church prayed very earnestly for him (Peter)” (Acts 12:5, NLT).
6. Prayed for leaders. “Who (Apostles) prayed for them (7 deacons) as they laid their hands on them?” (Acts 6:6, NLT).
7. Appointed church leaders. “Paul and Barnabas appointed church leaders . . . with prayer and fasting” (Acts 14:23, ELT).
8. Prayed for repentance. “Pray to the Lord, perhaps He will forgive your evil thoughts” (Acts 8:22, NLT).
9. When saying goodbye, “He (Paul) knelt and prayed with them (Elders of Ephesus)” (Acts 20:36, NLT). “There we knelt and prayed, and said our farewell” (Acts 21:6, NLT).
C. WHO PRAYED?
1. All the church. “They joined with the other believers . . . and in prayers” (Acts 2:12, NLT).
2. The apostles (leaders) (Acts 1:14; 6:4; 13:3).
3. Peter. “Peter went up to the roof to pray” (Acts 10:9, NLT). “While I (Peter) was praying” (Acts 11:5, NLT).
4. Paul. “Go ask for Saul . . . he is praying to me right now” (Acts 9:11, NLT). “One day, I was praying in the Temple . . . hurry leave Jerusalem” (Acts 22:17-18).
5. Cornelius. “A Roman army offer . . . a man who regularly prays” (Acts 10:1-2, NLT).
6. Women’s prayer meeting. “To the river bank where some met for prayer” (Acts 16:13, ELT).
D. INSTRUCTION FOR PRAYER
1. The gospel will be successful. “That the word of the Lord may spread on and triumph” (2 Thess. 3:1).
2. For the Holy Spirit. “The heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Eph. 3:19).
3. For Israel. “My heart’s prayer . . . it that they (Israel) may be saved” (Rom. 10:1).
4. Pray for everything. “Praying through all prayer and supplication on every occasion” (Eph. 6:18).
5. Pray for preaching. “Pray . . . for me . . . in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim . . . the gospel” (Eph. 6:18-19).
6. Pray for boldness. “Lord . . . grant to thy servant to speak . . . with all boldness” (Acts 4:29).
7. Pray for healing. “Pray over him, anointing him with oil . . . the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up” (James 5:15).
8. Pray for guidance. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:5).
9. Pray for protection for pastor and missionaries. “Strive together . . . in your prayer for my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea” (Rom. 15:30-31).
10. For maturity in others. “We are praying . . . to supply what is lacking in your faith” (1 Thess. 3:10).
11. For discernment. “My prayers for your . . . discernment” (Phil. 1:2).
12. To know God’s will. “We have not ceased to pray . . . you may be filled with the knowledge of His will” (Col. 1:9).
13. To know God’s love. “I bow my knees . . . that you may know . . . the love of Christ” (Eph. 3:140.
14. To have hope. “I remember you in my prayers, that you may know the hope to which He called you” (Eph. 1:16).
15. To be worthy. “We do not cease to pray for you that you would lead a life worthy” (Col. 1:10).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
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