...pray for God's way...

“12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, 16 ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’ 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 ‘For it is written in the book of Psalms,

‘Let his homestead become desolate,    and let there be no one to live in it;

and let another take His position of overseer.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ 13 But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine’” Acts 1:12-26; 2:1-13.

There is a very strong message contained in these verses, verses of the very start of the church, and the message is this: PRAY! I have hi-lighted the verses above, verses 1: 14; 1:24-25; 2:4. Right after witnessing the Ascension of Jesus to heaven, what did this group of men and women, leaders of the church do? They constantly devoting themselves to prayer! And then, when the time came for them to pick the replacement of Judas, they prayed for the two candidates, Justus and Matthias. but they prayed to the Lord to Show us which one of these two you have chosen.

They prayed for God to reveal His will. They didn’t pray for them not to make a mistake. No, the focus was on doing the Lord’s will. Just show us Lord! So we know, immediately following the Lord’s Ascension, they didn’t panic. No, they turned to the Lord and prayed constantly that the Lord would show them His way! They were in an attitude of prayer, not an attitude of fear.

And what happened when this was their response to Jesus’ Ascension? God sent His Holy Spirit and filled them with his Spirit!

I can tell you from personal experience, that when you remain in prayer, and trust God to show you His way for you in life, you better duck, because God will fill you with His Spirit and show you His way. He will answer that prayer of yours because it is the Lord who gave you the grace to utter that prayer.

At the very beginning of the church, we see the pattern the Lord wishes us to take in life and in the life of the church. Be constantly in prayer, ask the Lord to show you His way, and he will show you His way — for everything! He will answer your prayer because His Spirit is filling you with faith in Jesus Christ! The Lord will answer you in His time, and in His unique — but clear — way.

So pray!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner!