The Foundation of Our Marriage (And the Church)
Late night prayer meetings, Spirit-led courage, and why the gospel still spreads the same way today.
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Welcome back to THE HOLY GO!
I hope you enjoyed “THE SAINTS” series and kept up with some of the activations.
This week I am inspired by Pentecost and the foundation of the early Church. I hope it inspires you to jump into the story of God!
Equip
I’ve been thinking about some of the fun activities Sarah and I would do as we got to know each other, and as we started dating.
We would do the normal things like going to the movies and going out for meals… But there was another thing we did that I don’t often hear other couples talking about.
On many Saturday nights we would meet up with some friends and go to The Salvation Army Training College Chapel. We would get there shortly after dinner and we would pray.
We would pray for each other.
We would pray for our Churches.
We would pray for our friends.
We would pray for the lost.
We would pray for our leaders.
We would pray for the whole world!
These prayer meetings were not led by anyone. They were just a bunch of friends who loved praying together. We
confessed our sin and weaknesses to each other
repented of our sin
listened to what God was saying to us
chose to believe what God said and
encouraged one another.
In these prayer meetings we learned
how to hear God speak
how to activate spiritual gifts
how to prophesy
how to pray for healing, freedom, peace and
how to become aware of the presence of God.
These meetings were special.
Sometimes they were loud and joyful!
Sometimes they were more quiet as we lamented.
Sometimes they were full of faith.
Sometimes they were full of life and energy!
Although these meetings looked different each week, they often resulted in the same outcome.
After praying for two, three, or even five hours we would leave the chapel and head to the City to share the gospel.
As if something was propelling us forward, we would make our way to alleyways, street corners, lines out the front of night clubs, and we would share the gospel.
We would talk to jovial party goers.
We would listen to those sleeping on the streets.
We would share our testimonies.
We would offer to pray for people.
We would share the gospel.
We would buy meals and accomodation.
We would sit with drunks as they sobered up.
Some nights we saw entire groups of people give their lives to Jesus. Other nights it seemed like we did nothing at all despite out best intentions.
It’s funny to think that this was the foundation of our marriage.
But it’s also the foundation of the Church.
This is how the gospel spreads.
It starts with believers praying together.
They encounter the living God.
Then filled with boldness, they proclaim the gospel.
It’s a simple pattern.
It’s the story of God and we are all invited to join in.
I wonder what would happen if we all gave it a shot?
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 4:31
Activate
This weeks activation is to gather one or more friends together, and pray. Pray for each other, for others, then follow the prompting of The Holy Spirit of what to do next!
If you’re stuck on what to pray, or how to pray then I strongly suggest you explore the great library of resources at 24-7 Prayer.
Let’s Go!