“All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (Acts 1:14, RSV)
The scripture for today contains a picture of the earliest Christian church. Only weeks after Jesus died, Acts chapter 1 explains what happened to his followers. The scripture above gives a glimpse. The followers of Jesus “with one accord devoted themselves to prayer”. There were men and women, Jesus’ relatives and disciples. They all came together after the death and resurrection of Jesus to pray for direction and purpose. They tried to remember what He said and began to find the courage to live a missionary life. This closeness among the early followers of Jesus is noted many times in scripture. Even though there were major differences in the earliest church, at many points the church came together “with one accord”.
If you read the book of Acts closely, you will notice this little phrase, “with one accord”, popping up from time to time. Six times it is used to describe the early church. On the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, it mentions that the disciples and followers of Jesus were gathered in Jerusalem and that “they were all with one accord in one place”. Later in that same chapter, it is written that the followers of Jesus “continued with one accord” while in the Temple, worshiping, and eating together. Again, in Acts 4:24, the people lifted their voices to God “in one accord in adoration, worshiping and praising God.” Over and over, we read the earliest followers of Jesus were in accord with one another. Usually, this phrase is used with mention that the early church people were praying together. Their praying together brought them into one accord. Seeking God’s direction as a group gave them clearer spiritual vision and united their souls with God.
In his book, Something Happens When Churches Pray, Warren Wiersbe wrote the following: “In Acts 4:12 we read: “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch).” They were in one accord in their association; no divisions, no backbiting, no criticizing. Acts 15:25 contains another reference to “one accord”: “It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.” They were in one accord in their determination.”” (Something Happens When Churches Pray, W. Wiersbe, pp. 18ff).
Being “with one accord” and praying go hand in hand. Now, imagine what happens when husband and wife pray together! Picture what happens when churches pray together earnestly for direction! What would happen if a family prayed together while facing important decisions? There is great power not just in prayer, but in united corporate prayer. When people pray together, great things happen. When people are united in true and faithful prayer, amazing things occur: worship is empowered, church splits falter, signs and wonders multiply, and souls are saved. It makes me wonder why modern Christians think that praying alone is “good enough”. It isn’t. We need prayer “with one accord” among groups of Christians. It multiplies the blessings and power of God!
In the Old and New Testaments, there were faithful ones who practiced the “laying on of hands” with prayer to heal people, to fill others with the Holy Spirit, to destroy demons, and to anoint kings. Today, people are often encouraged “not to touch others”. It is considered a forbidden social act. Teachers are taught to keep their hands away from children and never hug or touch them, for fear of a lawsuit. Pastors are now encouraged not to touch people of the opposite sex to protect against a “Me-Too” situation. How can you do a laying on of hands without touching another person? The woman with the flow of blood was healed by touching Jesus’ robe. Should we stop praying together, hugging, touching another in a laying on of hands, and more? Is it no surprise that the Holy Spirit is stifled in this present time?
People are split about the idea of hugging or laying on of hands. Churches are split due to hardheadedness and the spirit of dissension. Children are raised by parents who are afraid to hug them and pray with them. Teens are taught to keep people at arms-length at all times. In the scripture for today, the faithful followers, “with one accord”, prayed together. They gathered. They cared. They watched out for one another. The results ended with earth-shattering spiritual events. If you find people getting separated and split up around you, maybe its time you prayed with them “in one accord”. If your church is having problems, maybe its time for a corporate prayer meeting. If your family seems distracted or split up, prayer might be the perfect medicine. Just do it together “with one accord”, not in separate rooms or while texting, please!
I still remember counseling a young woman. She looked at me through tears after a long heart-felt talk and said, “Don’t touch me!”. I wanted to pray with her. She was a sexual assault victim. After the threat for me not to touch her, I replied… “I won’t touch you if you don’t want. Would you do the honors of holding my hand and praying with me?” She did. She was healed. Prayer together, God-blessed touch, and the power of the Holy Spirit can mend the most broken of hearts.
If you read the book of Acts closely, you will notice this little phrase, “with one accord”, popping up from time to time. Six times it is used to describe the early church. On the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, it mentions that the disciples and followers of Jesus were gathered in Jerusalem and that “they were all with one accord in one place”. Later in that same chapter, it is written that the followers of Jesus “continued with one accord” while in the Temple, worshiping, and eating together. Again, in Acts 4:24, the people lifted their voices to God “in one accord in adoration, worshiping and praising God.” Over and over, we read the earliest followers of Jesus were in accord with one another. Usually, this phrase is used with mention that the early church people were praying together. Their praying together brought them into one accord. Seeking God’s direction as a group gave them clearer spiritual vision and united their souls with God.
In his book, Something Happens When Churches Pray, Warren Wiersbe wrote the following: “In Acts 4:12 we read: “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch).” They were in one accord in their association; no divisions, no backbiting, no criticizing. Acts 15:25 contains another reference to “one accord”: “It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.” They were in one accord in their determination.”” (Something Happens When Churches Pray, W. Wiersbe, pp. 18ff).
Being “with one accord” and praying go hand in hand. Now, imagine what happens when husband and wife pray together! Picture what happens when churches pray together earnestly for direction! What would happen if a family prayed together while facing important decisions? There is great power not just in prayer, but in united corporate prayer. When people pray together, great things happen. When people are united in true and faithful prayer, amazing things occur: worship is empowered, church splits falter, signs and wonders multiply, and souls are saved. It makes me wonder why modern Christians think that praying alone is “good enough”. It isn’t. We need prayer “with one accord” among groups of Christians. It multiplies the blessings and power of God!
In the Old and New Testaments, there were faithful ones who practiced the “laying on of hands” with prayer to heal people, to fill others with the Holy Spirit, to destroy demons, and to anoint kings. Today, people are often encouraged “not to touch others”. It is considered a forbidden social act. Teachers are taught to keep their hands away from children and never hug or touch them, for fear of a lawsuit. Pastors are now encouraged not to touch people of the opposite sex to protect against a “Me-Too” situation. How can you do a laying on of hands without touching another person? The woman with the flow of blood was healed by touching Jesus’ robe. Should we stop praying together, hugging, touching another in a laying on of hands, and more? Is it no surprise that the Holy Spirit is stifled in this present time?
People are split about the idea of hugging or laying on of hands. Churches are split due to hardheadedness and the spirit of dissension. Children are raised by parents who are afraid to hug them and pray with them. Teens are taught to keep people at arms-length at all times. In the scripture for today, the faithful followers, “with one accord”, prayed together. They gathered. They cared. They watched out for one another. The results ended with earth-shattering spiritual events. If you find people getting separated and split up around you, maybe its time you prayed with them “in one accord”. If your church is having problems, maybe its time for a corporate prayer meeting. If your family seems distracted or split up, prayer might be the perfect medicine. Just do it together “with one accord”, not in separate rooms or while texting, please!
I still remember counseling a young woman. She looked at me through tears after a long heart-felt talk and said, “Don’t touch me!”. I wanted to pray with her. She was a sexual assault victim. After the threat for me not to touch her, I replied… “I won’t touch you if you don’t want. Would you do the honors of holding my hand and praying with me?” She did. She was healed. Prayer together, God-blessed touch, and the power of the Holy Spirit can mend the most broken of hearts.