Scripture
Acts 1:12–14 (NIV)
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Reflection
Jesus had just ascended into heaven, leaving the disciples with instructions to return to Jerusalem to wait on the Holy Spirit. It seemed fitting that they went straight to the upper room when they arrived. It held great significance for the disciples. It's where they shared their last meal with Jesus before his crucifixion and where he appeared to them after his death.
This room must have been a comfort to them, but it was about to become so much more! It became a waiting room filled with great anticipation for God to move—the move that would cause the movement to begin.
The disciples, Mary (Jesus's mother), and many others went to this upper room to pray and wait. And they continued to pray and wait. This wasn't a one-time deal. Luke recorded in the book of Acts that they devoted themselves to prayer "with one accord." They were unified in their request, and their persistence showed utter dependence on God. They were desperate for God to show up to fulfill his promise that the Holy Spirit would come.
They prayed like this for 10 straight days.
Many times, during seasons of waiting, we resort to anything but prayer. If God isn't moving within our time frame, we take matters into our own hands. We try to speed up the process instead of trusting. But this glimpse into the upper room reminds us that God is above the confines of time and space and that our persistent prayers can be the one thing to help usher in a heart that is ready to experience God move.
What are you waiting on God for right now?
- Healing
- Provision
- A Restored Relationship
- Patience
- Guidance
- Strength
- Courage
Let me challenge you to approach your waiting room like the disciples. Keep praying, trusting, and believing that God will move when it's best for his glory and your good. Ask God to give you the patience to have faith that he knows what’s best for you. We grow in our faith and dependence on our heavenly Father through prayer. We know that we can’t change a situation, but we trust that he can!
Prov 3:5–6 tells us:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
As you wait, pray and trust, come to God boldly and ask him to move in your life in his perfect timing. Then wait with great anticipation, for he is a faithful God whom you can depend on and trust.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come to you with an open heart, seeking your guidance and provision. As I wait for your timing in my life, I ask for the patience and strength to trust in your plans for me. Help me to grow in faith and dependence on you as I continue to pray and seek your will.
I lift up my desires to you, whether it be healing, provision, restored relationships, patience, guidance, strength, or courage. I know that you are capable of moving in my life in ways far beyond my understanding, and I trust in your perfect timing.
May I be filled with the Holy Spirit to wait expectantly, as I anticipate your movement in my life. Grant me the perseverance to continue to seek you in prayer and the wisdom to listen to your guiding voice.
In Jesus's name I pray,
Amen.
Church Family Prayer
Just like the disciples gathered in one accord in the upper room, we'd love to lift up this prayer together as a church family.
Heavenly Father, we want you to move. We are hungry and desperate for more of you. Pour your Spirit out over us, our families, our church, and our community.
In Jesus's name I pray,
Amen.
