Rebuilding The Altar: "The Core Altar—a Community Of Prayer Warriors" Series

Rebuilding the Altar (5)

Dustin Lee Boden / General

Rebuilding the Altar / Prayer

“The Core Altar—A Community of Prayer Warriors"

Acts 4:24 (NIV 2011)

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God…

Acts 4:31 (NIV 2011)

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Introduction:

Today, we are in week five of our series, Rebuilding the Altar.

This week, our focus is on The Core Altar, specifically, a community of prayer warriors.

The church must be a place where we cultivate a community of prayer warriors—unified in spirit, fervent in prayer, and seeking God's presence together.

This creates an "Upper Room" experience that transforms lives.

In this series so far, we’ve mostly focused on individual prayer, and we’ve seen what a single person can accomplish through prayer.

• Elijah called down fire from Heaven.

• Daniel’s commitment to prayer, despite unfavorable circumstances, ultimately led to his deliverance.

The "secret place" of individual prayer is a call for each of us. However, we are not meant to always pray alone.

There is also a time for gathering in prayer, where the community of believers joins in agreement, combining our voices and amplifying our prayers before God.

Individual prayer is essential, but corporate prayer is equally vital.

Throughout the Bible, particularly in the book of Acts, we see a pattern in the early church.

They were known for more than just their preaching—they were known for their praying.

In fact, the very first collective act of the early church after Jesus ascended was a prayer meeting.

As you read through Acts, you'll find a consistent and intentional approach to praying together as a community.

They prayed in times of celebration, when facing opposition, and in the ordinary routines of everyday life.

The early church was constantly praying, and they were not only doing it alone but together!

They were truly a community of prayer warriors.

I believe the Holy Spirit fell in the Upper Room not merely by chance, but because there was a committed group of believers who set aside regular and scheduled times of prayer.

Their commitment to pray together wasn’t sporadic; it was intentional, with a dedicated time, place, and prayer focus.

If you ask me, the driving force behind the book of Acts is their commitment to pray together in all circumstances—at all times, individually and as a community.

Part-time Christians cannot defeat full-time demons.

If we are to impact our families and society, we must have regular times of both individual and community prayer.

In Acts 4:24-32, when the chief priests threatened Peter and John, warning them not to speak in the name of Jesus, the two men returned to the church to share their testimony. How did the church respond? "They raised their voices together in prayer to God…" (Acts 4:24).

Acts 4:24–32 NIV 2011

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ‘ “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.”

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

And when they finished praying, the very place they were gathered physically shook!

They were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke boldly—not timidly, but boldly.

This happened because of their commitment to regular corporate prayer—an intentional, prioritized time of unified prayer that shook the earth and empowered them.

Why is this important? Because something dynamic happens when we pray together.

The authority of our prayers is multiplied when we join together in unity.

Unity is powerful…

Psalm 133 ESV

A SONG OF ASCENTS. OF DAVID.

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!