教會的逼切需要：更多禱告
使徒行傳四章23至27節
23二人既被釋放，就到會友那裡去，把祭司長和長老所說的話都告訴他們。
24他們聽見了，就同心合意的高聲向神說：主阿！你是造天、地、海，和其中萬物的，
25你曾藉著聖靈，託你僕人─我們祖宗大衛的口，說：外邦為甚麼爭鬧？萬民為甚麼謀算虛妄的事？
26世上的君王一齊起來，臣宰也聚集，要敵擋主，並主的受膏者（或作：基督）。
27希律和本丟彼拉多，外邦人和以色列民，果然在這城裡聚集，要攻打你所膏的聖僕（僕：或作子）耶穌，
信息分享
初期教會就是一間熱心禱告的教會。上述的經文告訴我們，當彼得和約翰在教會的信徒面前講述自己的經歷，他們怎樣回應呢？他們立即同心合意地向神發出感恩的禱告(24節)。教會沒有特別召開一次感恩祈禱會，也沒有逐一呼籲信徒前來參與祈禱會，但他們卻自自然然地一起祈禱。
他們知道當權者吩咐他們要停止宣講耶穌，可是，當他們一起禱告的時候，他們就定睛注目在耶穌身上，深信神的能力遠超過任何政權，萬事都在祂的掌管之中。
他們並沒有祈求主說：「主啊，求你保守我們平安」，或「求你繼續保守彼得及約翰的平安」；反之，他們祈求的，是「求你幫助我們，使我們能放膽把基督傳開。」他們更憑著信心，祈求神使用神蹟奇事來顯明耶穌的名。
他們的禱告帶來甚麼結果呢？聖靈以更大的能力在他們中間運行(31至33節)。他們更加的團結，信徒之間有美好的相交，且獲得神的更大賜福。
你盼望你的教會出現這幅美麗的圖畫嗎？你盼望你的生命能獲得神的更大賜福和使用嗎？那麼，你就要常常禱告。不要只看見眼前的環境，倒要定睛仰望掌管一切的神。祂擁有無窮的大能，而且，祂更願意隨時祝福信徒和教會。
教會是由信徒所組成的，每個信徒都有本身的位分和責任。你願意盡你的一分力量，在神的幫助下，使你的教會成為一間常常禱告的教會嗎？
反思：
倘若其他信徒都像我一樣，我的教會將會是一間怎樣的教會呢？
EVERY CHURCH NEEDS MORE PRAYER
Acts 4: 23 - 27
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘ Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the LORD and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together
Message
The early church was a praying church. When Peter and John reported what had happened to them, what did church do? They prayed (v.24). Without anyone organising it or begging people to come to a prayer meeting, they prayed.
They had heard what the authorities said they should do. But as they prayed they turned their eyes to the Lord, believing that God is greater than any human government and he could overrule in their situation.
As they prayed they didn't say, 'Lord please keep us safe', or 'Lord protect Peter and John'. They said, 'Lord help us to get on with the job of making Christ known'. They had faith also to ask God for miracles.
What were the results? The Holy Spirit moved among them in even greater power (vv. 31-33). They themselves were united as never before and had wonderful fellowship with each other and blessing too.
Is this what you want for your church? For yourself? Then take time to pray. Look beyond the circumstances to God. He can do what no-one else can do and he is willing and waiting to do it.
A church is made up of individual members - you and the people who are with you. Will you do your part, God helping you, to make your church a praying church?
A QUESTION:
What kind of a church would my church be if every church member was just like me?