These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.
—Acts 1:14
Christ instructed His disciples to “wait for the Promise of the Father” (verse 4). He also said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem… and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (verse 8).
United and unceasing prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit, living witnesses to the living Christ from Jerusalem to the end of the earth—such are the marks of the true gospel, the true ministry, the true church of the New Testament.
A church of united and unceasing prayerfulness, a ministry filled with the Holy Spirit, the members living witnesses to a living Christ, with a message to every creature on earth—such was the church that Christ founded, and such was the church that went out to conquer the world.
When Christ had ascended to heaven, the disciples knew at once what their work was to be: continuing “with one accord in prayer and supplication.” They were to be bound together into one body by the love and Spirit of Christ. This gave them their wonderful power in heaven with God, and upon earth with men.
Their own duty was to wait in united and unceasing prayer for the power of the Holy Spirit, the power to be witnesses for Christ to the end of the earth. A praying church, a Spirit‑filled church, a witnessing church, with the entire world as its sphere and aim—such is the church of Jesus Christ.
As long as it maintained this character, the church had power to conquer. However, as it came under the influence of the world, it lost so much of its heavenly, supernatural beauty and strength! How unfaithful in prayer, how feeble the workings of the Spirit, how formal its witness to Christ, and how unfaithful to its worldwide mission!
Blessed Lord Jesus, have mercy upon Your church and give us the Spirit of prayer and supplication the early church had, so that we may prove that your power rests upon us and our testimony for You, to win the world to You. Amen.