DISCIPLESHIP TEACHING SERIES
DISCIPLE’S DEVOTION TO THE LORD (Part 2)
They devoted themselves to prayer.
Discuss the devotion of the disciples to prayer in the scriptures below.
Act.1:12-14; 2:1-4; Act.2:41-43; 4:23-24, 29-31; 6:1-4; Dan.6:10; Ex.33:11; Num.27:16-19.
You will notice that for these disciples, their devotion to the Lord was what made them to be devoted to prayer. For them, prayer was a means of walking closely to the Lord; it was not for material gain or miracles they needed. To you, what is prayer all about? Are you devoted to prayer?
Act.1:12-14; 2:1-4; Act.2:41-43; 4:23-24, 29-31; 6:1-4; Dan.6:10; Ex.33:11; Num.27:16-19.
You will notice that for these disciples, their devotion to the Lord was what made them to be devoted to prayer. For them, prayer was a means of walking closely to the Lord; it was not for material gain or miracles they needed. To you, what is prayer all about? Are you devoted to prayer?
i. Note that no special prayer committee or prayer contractors were employed. Instead, each of these, and indeed, all these continued in prayer in one accord. What were the results of this devotion as they walked closely with the Lord in prayers?
The Holy Ghost came down mightily upon the disciples of the old as a result of their selfless commitment to prayer. Disciples multiplied and God wrought great wanders among them. Even in the Old Testament, disciples like Mosses and Daniel devoted themselves to prayer and God manifested himself to each of them and through them. The truth is that if you desire to experience God as they did, your devotion to prayer cannot be less than theirs. You must also be selfless in your commitment to prayer.
ii. Discuss what our prayer lives must be like, if we must get the kind of result that the disciples of the old got.
b Fasting (along with prayer) was a regular practice among them as well.
Act.13:1-3, 14:23, Note Matt.9:14-15.
They were willing to fore-go food in order to concentrate in the place of prayer. It is a further sign of their commitment to prayer in their walk with the Lord.
Looking at the above scriptures as well as Isa.58:6-7, Lk4:1-2, what are we to use prayer and fasting achieve?
It is clear that fasting has its place in the life of a disciple of Christ especially now that the Bridegroom (the Lord Jesus Christ) has been taken away from us. Fasting is a means to an end; it is not an end in itself. Even though we now have access to the father by the blood of Jesus, fasting is meant to help us downplay our appetite and put our body under. it help us to connect more easily with God so as to let the power of God flow through us to loose the bounds of wickedness, undo heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free, provide bread for the hungry and do other great works in the name of the Lord and to the glory of God.
In order to achieve result, note what the heathen also do in the area of fasting.Act.23:12,1Kg.21:9-13.
It is clear that part of the devotion of the disciples of the old was prayer and fasting and God moved with them. Even evil men know the value of fasting to achieve their purpose. Are you so devoted to the Lord?
c How did our Lord Jesus Christ handle their aspect of devotion in his life?
Matt.4:1-2; Matt.14:21-23, Mk.1:32-36, Lk11:1-2, 22:39-40, Matt.17:18-21.
What lessons can we learn from His devotion to prayer and fasting?
It is important to note that even our Lord Jesus Christ devoted Himself to prayer and sometimes with fasting. Even though He is God in every sense and does not need to fast, yet because He took upon Himself the human form, He subjected Himself to the discipline of fasting. He subjected Himself to fasting and prayers to show us how to live and walk with God as human beings. If The Lord Jesus Christ devoted Himself to these, we must do so much more. We should follow in His steps.
VENUE: #13 Ukwansi Street Abakaliki Off Water works Ai
TIME: 8:00 AM prompt.
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