教会的逼切需要：更多祷告
使徒行传四章23至27节
23二人既被释放，就到会友那里去，把祭司长和长老所说的话都告诉他们。
24他们听见了，就同心合意的高声向神说：主阿！你是造天、地、海，和其中万物的，
25你曾借着圣灵，托你仆人─我们祖宗大卫的口，说：外邦为甚么争闹？万民为甚么谋算虚妄的事？
26世上的君王一齐起来，臣宰也聚集，要敌挡主，并主的受膏者（或作：基督）。
27希律和本丢彼拉多，外邦人和以色列民，果然在这城里聚集，要攻打你所膏的圣仆（仆：或作子）耶稣，
信息分享
初期教会就是一间热心祷告的教会。上述的经文告诉我们，当彼得和约翰在教会的信徒面前讲述自己的经历，他们怎样回应呢？他们立即同心合意地向神发出感恩的祷告(24节)。教会没有特别召开一次感恩祈祷会，也没有逐一呼吁信徒前来参与祈祷会，但他们却自自然然地一起祈祷。
他们知道当权者吩咐他们要停止宣讲耶稣，可是，当他们一起祷告的时候，他们就定睛注目在耶稣身上，深信神的能力远超过任何政权，万事都在祂的掌管之中。
他们并没有祈求主说：「主啊，求你保守我们平安」，或「求你继续保守彼得及约翰的平安」；反之，他们祈求的，是「求你帮助我们，使我们能放胆把基督传开。」他们更凭着信心，祈求神使用神迹奇事来显明耶稣的名。
他们的祷告带来甚么结果呢？圣灵以更大的能力在他们中间运行(31至33节)。他们更加的团结，信徒之间有美好的相交，且获得神的更大赐福。
你盼望你的教会出现这幅美丽的图画吗？你盼望你的生命能获得神的更大赐福和使用吗？那么，你就要常常祷告。不要只看见眼前的环境，倒要定睛仰望掌管一切的神。祂拥有无穷的大能，而且，祂更愿意随时祝福信徒和教会。
教会是由信徒所组成的，每个信徒都有本身的位分和责任。你愿意尽你的一分力量，在神的帮助下，使你的教会成为一间常常祷告的教会吗？
反思：
倘若其他信徒都像我一样，我的教会将会是一间怎样的教会呢？
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?