“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

Just because we know something is good for us that doesn’t mean we do it.

For example, we know that regular exercise and a full night’s sleep have powerful effects, both physically and mentally. And yet, these are frequently neglected.

Let’s make a connection to our discipleship.

How many times have we heard someone say that reading the Bible is important? Probably a lot. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we necessarily act upon that advice. The same is true for worshiping together with God’s people, proactively serving others, or engaging in deliberate faith-based fellowship.

It’s also true for prayer.

As a pastor, I talk to a lot of people about their faith. You’d be surprised at how many people struggle to remain consistent in prayer. And this isn’t just true for new Christians. It’s true for seasoned disciples as well.

Let me provide some motivation.

Tim and Kathy Keller write: “The one constant element in all spiritual revivals is prevailing, extraordinary prayer.”* They have had a long and fruitful ministry. And Tim has studied revivals. (His book on prayer is one of the most comprehensive I’ve read.)

Prevailing, extraordinary prayer.

Does your discipleship need a revival? Does your church need a revival? 

If you are making to-do lists, mission statements and strategic plans but are missing prayer, you are missing the missing ingredient.

Commit to prayer—not only to talking, but to listening. This is the spring from which revival flows. We can’t say we’re “putting God first” if we don’t speak or listen to our own Boss.

“The one constant element in all spiritual revivals is prevailing, extraordinary prayer.”

Notes:

-*Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus (New York: Viking, 2015), 195.
-Bible quotes are from the NIV.