How easily we turn the most organic disciplines into rigid practices. Indeed there ought to be a set time of prayer but what facet of our life is hid from God and does not plead his immediate intervention. It has been said that when the heart cries God hears. Would we so rein in our hearts, emotions, and wills, minds and consciousness to behold the God of Glory, it is He who has made us and we are the work of His hands.
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Acts 3:1
How beautifully was this displayed in the lives of Peter and John whose communion with Christ saw them function as healing and bold members, by whom the Lord would minister. Their charge brought feet and leaping to a leper, their lives brought disorder to the establishment; they loved beyond life all that they believed. How different it must be to receive life and wholeness in prayer; to be changed in the secret place. Only then were they able to shout and see God manifest what He presented them in person to all who opposed them and sought help by them.
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:23-31
Out of their many troubles, the righteous found deliverance. The unmoved movers plans will never be thwarted; how desperately do we desire the hand and more the heart of God. To be stood in His council as David did, to be the heart of His purposes as the source and heir of David is. We have a secure place in God, who is our defender and keeper; indeed under His right hand are we sheltered. Would we see again His hand stretched out for a generation in need?\
Now, let us lift our voices together with the Apostles to pray!
