“‘And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.'” Luke 24:49 (ESV)
Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed the disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they received what His Father had promised. Jesus affirmed that they would be clothed with power from on high. Upon arrival in the Upper Room, the hundred and twenty believers joined constantly together in prayer (Acts 1:14). They were unified in prayer awaiting the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
How long did they have to wait? Ten days! That would be considered a long prayer meeting. Why did Jesus wait ten days to send the Promised Holy Spirit? Perhaps the hundred and twenty believers needed ten days to purge their lives from sin, selfishness, and strained relationships. Maybe the believers had to extend and receive forgiveness. It is possible that the Lord wanted to give them time to adjust their lives to His agenda.
Unified prayer honors the Lord. If you want to see God at work in your life and around you, begin to join other believers in unified prayer. Passionately pursue God in prayer and allow Him to reveal unconfessed sin in your life. Allow God to illuminate the level of your spiritual devotion and the reality of your sensitivity to His activity. Invite God to search your heart and to reveal anything in your life that does not bring Him pleasure.
Praying in unity with other believers moves the heart of God. You will form a special bond with those you pray with and enjoy the fellowship God produces. Make room in your life for unified prayer.
Drawing Near,
Stephen Trammell
Lead Pastor
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