The first missional church as described in the book of Acts Prayed for Everything.
They prayed for direction after Jesus ascended into heaven. (Vision and Direction)
They prayed for a person to take the place of Judas. (Leaders)
Their prayers were not just ritualistic. They were going to the temple to pray when they ran across the man who was lame. They never made their ritualistic time of prayer and it was OK.
They were committed to prayer in Acts 2:42.
One of the main jobs of the leaders of the early church was to be devoted to prayer (Acts 6:4)
Stephen prayed for the Lord not to hold his stoning against the ones throwing the stones. Jesus did say "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us."
Peter was praying on the roof when he had a vision from God that the gospel was now for the Gentiles (Acts 10) It is during times of prayer we receive direction from God. Sometimes that direction will takes us places we never thought we would go.
The church prayed for Peter while he was in prison and was amazed when God saved him from the hands of Herod. When you pray for it do not be amazed when God moves. This shows us we should pray for the impossible.
They prayed and fasted before they sent Paul and Barnabas out to the Gentiles (Acts 13:3). We should be praying for those who are ministering to people.
Paul constantly thanked the churches he went to for praying for him. They prayed for everything because it was a art of the first church's DNA.
What about you and your church? Is prayer a high priority? And I am not talking about taking prayer requests following a meeting. DO you stop and pray for everything and anything you want God to be a part of? This type of prayer life is not ritualistic, this type of prayer life requires followers to pray anytime, anywhere and for anything.
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