The Church's first prayer-meeting.
I. THE PLACE IT OCCUPIES.
1. Under the cloud of a great trial. The separation from Jesus; the attitude of the Jews of the metropolis; the dependence of a company of poor and persecuted people; the sense of ignorance and feebleness. What could they do but pray, especially as they felt that the power had not as yet come?
2. At the threshold of the Church's history. We know what grew out of that first meeting. All great religious movements have commenced in prayer. Little the actors have foreseen of the future. Luther nailing up his theses. Early meetings of the Wesleys. Modern revivals. The "Acts" a commentary upon that spiritual germination of a new life at Jerusalem. Developments of the individual characters represented by the names. Providence works with grace. They that put themselves by prayer into the hands of God are led on by his hand.
3. In the history of the world, a new social fact which is destined to enlarge until it embraces all human interests and associations within itself. A missionary prayer-meeting it was, though as yet the herald-spirit had not taken full possession of the brethren. They knew that they were sent by Jesus to the uttermost parts of the earth. It was a prayer for the baptism which should make all alike messengers of the new life. The success of all evangelistic efforts depends on their following this example of prayerfulness.
II. THE LESSONS IT TEACHES.
1. The spirituality of the kingdom of Christ.
2. The equality of Christians in the Church.
3. The dependence of Divine gifts on our preparation for them, in heart and life.
An outpouring of the Spirit in answer to prayer is a bestowment of grace, on those who are ready to employ it when it comes.
4. Mutual recognition in the Divine presence the prerequisite to individual callings and separate work. The spirit of prayer the preservative against division.—R.