The Power of Believers' Prayers - Acts 4:23-35

By David Woods

This past Tuesday morning during my elementary bus route, I heard some commotion from the kids. They were quite upset.

I have a couple Arab kids on my bus. One, Reyanne, was upset about the election. She didn't want George Bush to win because, "George Bush hates Muslims."

Now, the kids are free to think what they want and say what they want - within bounds. But that riled me a little bit. I think it is one of the most uninformed slogans that are being bandied around today.

They were talking loudly and arguing somewhat, so I decided I didn't want them talking about politics at all. But I did respond to that idea about Bush hating Muslims. I tried to explain that Bush didn't hate Muslims; rather, he was trying to protect our country from terrorists.

George W. Bush is one of my heroes. I think very highly of him. Regardless, I realize that many, many people here in America and around the world dislike him intensely.

I am also a Rush Limbaugh fan. One of Limbaugh's constant refrains is not to listen to the big media, not to be discouraged by all the reports of people who are opposed to conservatism.

You see, it seems that many conservatives become very discouraged from the attacks on them personally and their philosophies.

Conservatism and Christianity are not identical, but I do see a parallel between them. Like conservatism, Christianity has been under attack for many years.

It seems like the Church is declining, society is ever-accepting of lower moral standards, and the Devil has all the momentum in the spiritual war.

But while we may think it is very bad today, consider the early Church of Acts 4. Jesus had just been crucified about forty days before. Yes, He had risen from the dead, but still it was not a healthy atmosphere for Jesus' followers.

Pentecost had been wonderful. Thousands of people had been saved. But after Peter and John had healed the lame beggar, they had gotten into trouble. The Sanhedrin arrested them. They wanted to charge them with wrongdoing.

They were unable to do so, but still they strictly warned Peter and John to stop preaching in Jesus' name. Remember, it was not that long since this court had gotten Jesus killed. They were in trouble! The Church was in trouble.

Discussion: What do you think the apostles' attitude was as they gave the report to the believers (v.23)? Why? (see 5:41)

Discussion: Why were the believers happy to suffer shame for Jesus?

Discussion: Why do you think this is not a more common reaction of Christians today? Or, is it?

Discussion: What does the early Church's address to God teach us about how we should respond to crises in our lives?

Discussion: What are some things the believers did not pray for?

Discussion: What did they pray for?

Discussion: What was the filling of the Holy Ghost the believers received? Entire sanctification, or something else, or ?

Bible commentators have been careful to point out that verses thirty-two through thirty-five are not teaching a communistic philosophy. I guess that is good. Communism is not biblical, and it is terrible form of government.

However, I am afraid that we spend so much energy talking about what these verses do not mean that we never get around to seriously considering what they do mean.

Discussion: If our church had "all things common", what would that mean practically?

Discussion: Can the church experience true unity of heart and soul if the people do not surrender their rights to their personal possessions? To whom does one give up his or her personal rights?

I think the point of scripture lies more to the heart attitude of believers. The church did not demand the believers give all their possessions to the church. Nor was it expected. Yet, when a need arose, the people gave gladly and overwhelmingly.

Discussion: What would it mean for our church today to adopt such a cooperative spirit?

Discussion: Does the Church today place the same emphasis on the ressurection as the early church did?

Discussion: Could some of the problems the church faces today be solved by a New Testament emphasis upon the resurrection? If so, how and why?

Discussion: How can we place more emphasis on the resurrection?

Discussion: The believers prayed that signs and wonders be done in Jesus' name. How was this prayer answered? (In healing only, or also by the generosity and unity of believers?)

Discussion: Would you say the Church today experiences the same power the early Church did? Why or why not?

The basic truth I find in this scripture is this:

Big Idea: Great things can be accomplished when believers unite in prayer.

Discussion: Do you believe this statement is true? Why or why not?

Discussion: What does it mean to unite in prayer?

One of my greatest fears in life is that at the end of my life I will look back and observe that I have only maintained the status quo.

It bothers me even today when I look back over my ministry and do not see many results. It bothers me when the church under my care does not grow.

It bothers me when I realize how long it has been since I have last witnessed to someone - and even more when I realize how long it has been since I last led someone to faith in Christ.

It bothers me when I struggle spiritually to be the person God wants me to be. It bothers me when I am not professionally the person I should be.

The devil is fighting us hard. Sometimes, we are tempted to hide from his onslaught. Sometimes, we are tempted to put our heads in the sand. Sometimes, we are tempted to go on with life and try to ignore the battle - tired of the strife.

But let me assure you - there is victory in Jesus! We need to unite in prayer as the believers did. We need to reaffirm our belief in our great, omnipotent Father. We need to ask Him for boldness, power, and to work on our behalf.

And I believe that if we seriously do this, He will answer our prayers. There is power in believers' prayers. Do you believe that? Will you unite with me to pray for God's power and blessing?

Prayer: