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Unstoppable! 'Devoted to Prayer and Praise' — Acts 2:42-47 Sunday, February 11, 2024 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. — Acts 2:42-47 NLT Key Thought Luke emphasized that the early disciples devoted themselves to prayer and praise (Acts 2:42, 46-47). Prayer was the backbone of their expectation and perseverance as they trusted in the deliverance of God and the power of God to fuel their efforts (Acts 1:14, 2:42, 6:4). Praise was a regular focus of their prayer life as they reached back to the Psalms for phrases and songs of praise (Acts 4:23-31; cf. Psalm 2). This emphasis on prayer and praise was also demonstrated in the ministry of the apostle Paul. His prayers for the churches (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, 2:16-17, 3:16), his requests for their prayers for him and his ministry (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5), and bursts of praise to honor God and bless his readers (Romans 11:33-36, 15:13, 16:25-27) were woven into many of his letters. Prayer was never primarily about getting what an individual Christian wanted but about the mission of God being accomplished through the Lord's people and about the well-being of other believers, always accompanied by praise and thanksgiving for who God is and how he has blessed his people (Colossians 4:2-4; cf. James 4:1-4). I do not know about you, but being reminded of the early believers' devotion to prayer convicts me and stirs me to a deeper resolve to pray! TODAY'S PRAYER Father, please accept Paul's prayer of praise to you as my prayer, today: Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!For who can know the Lord's thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. This prayer is taken from Romans 11:33-36. RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS Colossians 4:1-4; Philippians 4:4-7 James 4:1-10, 5:13-18