Prayer

fter the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ into heavens, the first church continued steadfastly in prayers (which may include worship also) Acts 2:42. It shows us that the church is entrusted with the ministry of prayer. Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him (Acts 12:5).

Jesus said, “It is written that my house shall be called the house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13, Isaiah 56:7). As King Solomon interceded before the Lord, after completing the building of the Temple, that the Lord might hear the prayers of His people who turned to the Lord and that the Lord maintain their cause. The Lord our God is prayer hearing and Prayer answering God (-Bro. Bakht Singh). The Lord said, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.“

We, under the New Covenant, have the better intercessor, the Lord Jesus Christ who is greater than Solomon, bidding us “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

We consider that the prayer is a) wrestling with God (Genesis 32: 24-30), b) travailing (Galatians 4:19, 1 Thessalonians 2:9 and 2 Thessalonians 3:8) and c) a weapon of spiritual warfare (Exodus 17:11, Ephesians 6:18).

We meet as a church once in a week, to offer supplications, prayers and intercessions, for the salvation of the unsaved that they may come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4) and for the people in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Timothy 2:2). We also intercede on behalf of the believers upholding their needs (James 5: 13-16), and importantly to seek the mind of the Lord and His guidance in the ministry (1 Chronicles 14:10) for our aibilities are not sufficient to handle the ministry.

O Lord! Teach us to pray.