As Luke had emphasized the life of prayer in Jesus according to his gospel, so he continues to emphasize prayer in the life of the saints in Acts. Prayer was such an important work that the apostles asked the saints to choose seven men to wait on tables so they could give themselves steadfastly to “prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). Prayer heads the list and once again, we see an example in their life where they followed the example of the Master whose prayer life was a priority of the day. The eleven apostles who met in an upper room waiting to receive the Holy Spirit, the text reads, “These all with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer” (Acts 1:14). We are not told what they were praying about, but given the example of Jesus and the fact that what follows is the selection of Matthias, they were probably praying about the right choice to replace Judas who had fallen (Acts 1:15-22). When the choice was narrowed down to two individuals, they prayed again and the lot fell on Matthias (1:23-25). It appears they had learned from the Master teacher because they did as he had done before choosing the twelve apostles. We see this same choice when the saints in Jerusalem selected seven men who were brought before the apostles. Acts 6:6 records, “...when they prayed, they laid their hands upon them.” It is important to note that God’s people prayed for others whenever they were about to start a work or make a decision that has serious implications. Consider another example from Acts 13:1-3. Here, the prophets and teachers in Antioch were told to separate Paul and Barnabas for the work they had been called to do. “When they had fasted prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Later, on their return trip home, Paul and Barnabas had appointed elders in those cities where they had worked. Then, we are told that when they prayed and fasted, they commended them to the Lord on whom they had believed (Acts 14:23).
After three thousand were added to these, the text explains, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Then, after Peter and John healed the lame man, whom they saw on their way to pray, the Sanhedrin threatened them and let them go. After reporting to their fellow saints the threat and beating of the Jewish leaders, “they lifted up their voice to God with one accord” and prayed (Acts 4:24). Verses 25-29 contain the prayer spoken that day. They started, as Jesus had taught them, by praising God and then recalled the threat of Pslam 2 against the Lord and His anointed. They then requested that the Lord grant them to speak His word with boldness (v. 29). The Lord responded by shaking the place where they were gathered, filling them with the Holy Spirit, and giving them boldness to speak the word of God (4:31).
When Peter and John were sent to Samaria to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit, the text reads, “when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:15). After praying, they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit (8:17). It is amazing how often prayer has been ignored. Preachers spend long hours preparing for sermons and studying for the classes they will teach, but how does their work of prayer compare to their work of study and teaching? A Homemaker may spend long and rigorous hours cleaning and preparing meals for her family, but how much time is spent in prayer? If we were to analyze the work of preachers, apostles, wives, and mothers, would we even think to include prayer? If I were to ask a number of brethren how the Samaritans had received the Holy Spirit, how many would say that it was through the laying on of the apostle’s hands but not think to include prayer? The most important action to take is to fall down on our knees in humble dependency on God for the success of our work, requesting his guidance and wisdom. To ignore this is to forget that we are fellow workers together with God (cf. 1 Cor. 3:9) and that our work is the work of our hands.