Do You Have the Proof of the Resurrection? Part 6 – Acts 2:42

This short verse from the book of Acts sums up the lives of Christians- we live by loving the church, the Word, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and finally, by prayer. By prayer, the church can live by God’s divine power. When the early church prayed, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, doing might works, and growing in love and faith as God added believers to the church. (Acts 2:43-47) Prayer is absolutely essential to Christians- our spiritual growth depends on it. (1Tim 4:5) What is prayer? Real prayer is communion with God, guided by His Word, so that His thoughts become our thoughts, and His desires become our desires. Devotion to prayer is the fruit of Jesus’ work on the cross. When the early church heard the gospel, they were pierced to the heart by their sin of unbelief against God. They repented and believed in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In light of the resurrection and God’s love and forgiveness in their hearts, they devoted themselves to one another, the Word, fellowship, Communion, and prayer. Here, we will see why anyone who truly believes in the risen Lord will devote themselves to prayer.

Those who believe in the risen Lord pray because they are a part of the church that Jesus had built. Jesus built the church that believes in His resurrection. His church is alive, and so they practice their devotion to pray. Prayer is the natural outcome of believing true doctrine. It is the test of genuine faith. (Lk 18:1; Acts 12:5)

They know prayer is a privilege. Only those who know the resurrected Lord can pray. No amount of money can buy access to the Father. Only believers have the privilege to pray. (Acts 8:18-19; Gen 20:7)

Priorities change after encountering the risen Lord. We have always prioritized everything and everyone else before God, but after meeting the risen Lord, He is supreme. Even when the disciples suffered under persecution for their faith, rather than pitying themselves, they turned to prayer. Prayer and praise to God were their utmost priority. (Acts 16:16, 25)

There is no more passivity. Believers always seek the will of God through prayer, with hearts ready to apply and obey. We can do all things for the Lord, because Jesus is alive.

There is no doubt that Jesus is real, and He is with them. You can not pray with doubt. God has given us the proof of the resurrection- He is alive, and He is within you. (Acts 17:31)

They have a clear understanding of Jesus’ resurrection. All of Jesus’ teaching became clear to the disciples after they witnessed Jesus’ resurrection. They understood that they desperately needed to pray. Jesus as a man prayed unceasingly throughout His earthly ministry, fully depending on God. To neglect prayer reveals a heart that is self-sufficient and proud. The disciples also understood that the Fatherhood of God was real. We have a Father who is always good, and on whom we can depend on through life and death.

They know God provides. Jesus died, resurrected, and ascended so that we could pray in His name. God is our Father- He provides for us everything that is necessary. (Jn 14:13)

They know their faith can only be sustained by prayer. Prayer and faith are inseparable. The faithful man is the man who is prayerful. Apostle Paul was able to keep the faith through overwhelming suffering because he continued to trust in God through prayer. (2Tim 4:7; 2 Cor 1:9-10)

They know Jesus is alive. God provided the powerful evidence of Jesus’ resurrection so that all would believe and be saved. We pray because the risen Lord hears us. To cease praying is to deny the resurrection. (Matt 28:18)

They have the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ resurrection is made clear by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us hope, and He intercedes for us to the Father when we do not know how we ought to pray.

They are walking with God. Walking with God implies walking on the same path, in the same direction, harmoniously and intimately. Whereas sin hinders prayer, holiness strengthens it. Therefore, as we pray and grow in holiness, we walk with Christ who prays unceasingly for us in heaven. (Rom 8:34)

Prayer is the unceasing expression of faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us love to pray- it is a privilege and necessity; it is the very breath of those who are alive in the Lord.