Acts 4:31 – And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
Prayer is an amazing thing. Consider the amazing nature of prayer, the creator of the universe listens to us and actually answers our prayers. Prayer was ingrained in the apostles from being around Jesus. The Lord was saturated with the anointing; this is the obvious result of Jesus spending time in prayer. Spending time with the Lord brings us into His presence and is critical to answered prayer. Jesus Himself said, “Abide in me and let my words abide in you and you will ask whatever you want and it will be given you”. When you pray and begin to draw near to God your desires change; the changing of your desires is the key to praying prayers that get answered. In today’s verse we see the power of corporate prayer. Prayer movements are inspired by God and are are connected to outpourings of the Holy Spirit. Here is how Adam Clarke describes today’s verse.
“The place was shaken. This earthquake was an evidence of the presence of God, and a most direct answer to their prayer, as far as that prayer concerned themselves. The earthquake proclaimed the stretched-out arm of God, and showed them that resistance against his counsels and determinations must come to nought. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. And, in consequence of this, they spake the word of God with boldness; a pointed answer to a second part of their request. A right prayer will always have a right and ready answer. Though these disciples had received the Holy Spirit on the day of pentecost, yet they were capable of larger communications; and what they had then received did not preclude the necessity of frequent supplies, on emergent occasions. Indeed, one communication of this Spirit always makes way and disposes for another.”
We are living in a season when the Lord is calling His people to gather in corporate prayer. When these seasons happen outpourings of His Spirit are certain. As I write this blog there are accounts of students gathering for worship and prayer in various universities. Churches are reporting a fresh sense of God’s glory in their services. Maybe its time for the Lord to visit our nation once again. Maybe its time for His church to worship and pray.