Getting Serious about God (3)

 

'All the believers devoted themselves to...prayer.' Acts 2:42 NLT

I realized this morning you may be saying to yourself, this getting serious with God stuff is hard work. My prayer is that you actually experience it in a different way. That God is showing you it's not about work but about relationship with Him. The new church that was forming in the book of Acts understood this and took prayer seriously. The New Testament church was conceived in the womb of prayer. After ten days of united prayer in the upper room, 'Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit...' (Acts 2:4 NLT) What happened next? They launched a church that's still impacting the world after two thousand years. Did their prayer-life diminish once the church was established? Not in the least! 'All the believers devoted themselves...to prayer.' It remained a prayer-conditioned fellowship. I have imagined our church in the midst of a prayer revival. Can you imagine you being a part of something like that? The early church was born, bathed and brought to fruition in prayer. They bequeathed us the empowering biblical principle that nothing important and lasting happens without prayer. Today if you want to get a small crowd in church, call a prayer meeting!

Question: How much do you pray? What makes you a stranger to the place of prayer? Is it the myth that prayer is hard work? It's not - if your priorities are right. Do you wear yourself out, worrying about things as though everything's up to you? Prayer will make the hard bits of your life easier, and more fruitful. Consistent prayer lifts you to a higher, positive place where you learn how to accomplish more while experiencing a deep peace of heart and soul. Jesus said: 'Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.' (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV) Seriously, can there be a better way to live? God's on your side and so our Amy and I. By the way, your loved as well...