“A Time Of Prayer”
Acts 3:1
We will just look at one verse today.
How important is prayer in your life?
Is it important enough to set time aside so that we may pray?
Or is prayer just something we do when there is an urgent need like and accident, sickness, distress, or any on a number of emergencies?
I find it interesting that Peter and John are going together to pray.
- I see nothing wrong with private prayer.
- There is nothing wrong with a quiet place to pray.
- Equally there is nothing wrong with house prayer meetings.
But in our text none of those times are mentioned.
They went to the Temple “At the hour of prayer.”
I believe if we are to see the Lord work here, it will be a direct result of prayer.
What is Prayer?
What is NOT prayer?
Where should we pray?
How often should we pray?
So before we see the action of Peter and John let’s just focus today on this simple yet complex subject of PRAYER.
The word prayer is found 107 times in the King James Bible, with the book of Psalms mentioning it the most with 30 occurrences. The related word "pray" is found an additional 306 times, with the book of Genesis recording it 46 times.
I. What Prayer is
What is the definition of prayer?
Prayer, in the Old Testament, is derived from several Hebrew words which mean intercession, supplication or to intervene.
Prayer, In the New Testament, the word means a petition, request, supplication, or prayer addressed to God.
So prayer is not just “talking with God.”
It is not the same as a typical conversation we would have with a person face-to-face.
It is the process by which we make our requests known to our heavenly Father.
Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
It is also the means by which we can worship and be in awe of our Creator and Saviour.
God’s response to our request can take many forms, and can occur at any time, but I have never heard an audible voice.
Rather I have found His Word sufficient to be HIS voice and response.
Most prayers that I have heard include a list of wants and wishes that we each carry and desire that God would somehow manifest a divine answer that we are waiting for.
The most sacred, hollowed time of prayer is when very little is said and that I simply desired to be with Christ.
Paul told us “to be careful for nothing” = to understand this means to quit being anxious about things in this present life.
It does not mean we quit caring about this present time but that we measure our request in the thought of the eternal.
Do we pray for the sick yes, but in the eternal thought the physical means very little.
Do we pray for our families? Yes, but we ought to pray for the eternal position of our families; are that saved?
Do we pray for our food and lodging? Yes but remember we are just passing through to the eternal presence of a Holy God and what we eat or drink is of little eternal meaning.
1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
The closer we get to real prayer the concerns of this world seem to just fade away!
II. What Is The Purpose Of Prayer?
Prayer is the means by which we acknowledge and strengthen our relationship with our Saviour and we seek out His will for our lives.
We are told in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Prayer is the path in which we can honestly confess our sins, ask forgiveness and cry out to God for help in overcoming the fight in the flesh and trials of life.
I wonder how many expect a great day, as we understand it, because we have prayed?
When was the last time that you accused God of not listening because what you wanted is not what you received?
I have seen and know of many who will look into the heavens and ask God why He is punishing them.
It may occur to some that when the Lord brings difficulties that God may be getting our attention or helping us to grow?
Prayer is also the way we can petition our Saviour for the benefit and blessing of others, even those who use and persecute us. Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
Jesus himself spent many sleepless nights in prayer during his ministry.
He did an all night prayer when He was about to name the (12) twelve disciples.
Luke 6:12-13 “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”
Jesus prayed for you and me as well
John 17:9 “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.”
Jesus spoke to His Father passionately just before his arrest and death
Matthew 26:36-44 “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.”
Jesus asked His Father, through prayer, to strengthen the faith of Peter so that he would not fall into the devil's hands
Luke 22:31-32 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
And this continues even today: Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
III. What Prayer Is Not
True communion with a Holy God is not a religious ritual meant to appease an all-powerful God.
Matthew 5:7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”
It is not the means by which we can bargain with God to give us what we want (or demand!).
Prayer is also not a sign that we are closer to God than others Matthew 6:5 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Jesus warns us that mindlessly repeating memorized phrases toward God, in prayer is a waste of time.
Repetition does not increase our chances that what we say will be heard by Him or that our requests will be granted.
IV. How Often Should We Pray?
In our text we see that there was a set time daily that the Jews set aside their daily routine so they could pray.
There is evidence that they prayed (3) three times a day and this was turning into a ritual more than it was a time of sincere time of prayer.
Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
Prayer is the quality of our communication that matters the utmost.
Conclusion:
When we do focus our hearts toward our Saviour it should be in the name of Jesus Christ.
Effective prayer is comprised of many essentials:
1. It should be offered from a pure heart that forgives our enemies and has faith in God.
2. It should be simple and given in an attitude of humility and repentance without repetition.
3. At times prayer should be bold, and even persistent
4. But most of all prayer should always be sincere.
Do you know Jesus?
Is He your Saviour?
When was the last time you stopped the list and just spent time with Jesus?
