Context No. 4242 of 4322 · Acts

Acts 1:12-20: in context

12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 15In these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said, 16“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. 17For he was counted with us, and received his portion in this ministry. 18Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness; and falling headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines gushed out. 19It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’ 20For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell in it;’ and, ‘Let another take his office.’

After Jesus ascends, the disciples return to Jerusalem and gather in an upper room, and there they wait for the promised Spirit. And Luke tells us how they waited: they all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers. United, persistent, devoted prayer filled the days of waiting.

What stands out is the character of this waiting. The disciples did not wait passively or anxiously; they waited in prayer, and they did so together, with one accord. Their waiting for God to act was filled with united, steadfast prayer. Before the Spirit came at Pentecost, there was this praying community, gathered, devoted, waiting on God together.

When we are waiting for God to act, for a promise to be fulfilled, for direction, for power to serve, the way to wait is not in anxious passivity but in devoted, united prayer. The disciples waited on their knees, together, with one accord. So often the pattern in Scripture is that God's great works are preceded by his people's united, persistent prayer. To wait well is to wait in prayer, and to wait together.

When I am waiting on God, for a promise, for direction, for power to serve, do I wait in devoted, united prayer as the disciples did in the upper room, rather than in anxious passivity, joining with others in steadfast prayer as I wait for God to act?

Sources

Acts 1:14: "All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers."
Acts 1:15: "In these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty)."
Acts 2:1: "Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place."