Shall we turn to the Book of the Acts tonight? Right after the Gospel comes that book, which is called the Book of the Acts. You may find in the title of the book in chapter one, to which we turn first of all, that it is called the Acts of the Apostles. So may I give a correction for that? The titles of the book have not been inspired by the Spirit of God. They have been added by the translators. But I believe that if you take the book of the Acts in its entirety, it should be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit. For thank God we are living in the age which began on the day of Pentecost. When the descent of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity took place, coming from heaven, to take possession of the believers upon the earth, and to undertake the work of the Lord Jesus in this present age. But I would like you to go to the Acts of the Apostles with me, and let me point out seven particular facts regarding what took place. in those early days of church history. And particularly to emphasize the united prayer meeting of the Lord's people in those days when they came together. Now may I emphasize the difference, or there is a difference, in speaking about prayer in relation to the individual believer. And I trust that every one of us have some burden of heart for our own individual prayer life. But I don't wish to speak about the individual prayer life. But the united assembly prayer life, which in the early church was manifested. Look in chapter one with me, if you please, first of all. I like to read, you well know the opening of the chapter if you've ever read it. The Lord Jesus has just gone to heaven. He has said farewell to his disciples. He has encouraged them to tarry at Eleutherum until the Holy Spirit descended which he had promised to send. Now note these disciples. Let me begin reading, if I may, at verse twelve. Then they returned after the Lord Jesus went back to heaven. They returned unto Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem at Sabbath day's journey. And when they were coming, they went up into an upper room. We're abode both Peter, James, and John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, the Ptolemy, Matthew, James, the son of Alphaeus, and Simon, Zealotus, and Judas, the brother of James. Then now notice in verse fourteen, these all continued with one accord in prayer. and supplication with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with it brethren. The brethren of our Lord Jesus, who had come to him after his death, burial and resurrection. But may I raise the question, and you find the answer in verse fifteen. How many disciples were they that came together? It was not an individual or a group of definite individuals. It was all the believers that were left. Look at verse fifteen, please, and it did tell you at the name at the end of it in that fifteenth verse. In those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples and said, I knew the number of names together were about a hundred and twenty. I'm sure that we can safely and truthfully say, these in number were the only ones who belonged to the Lord Jesus after he had descended back into heaven and said farewell to them. But I want to emphasize what we have in verse fourteen. These are all. They were all present and they continued with one accord unitedly in prayer and supplication. Beloved, one of the many privileges that the saints have today is one of the most neglected, the assembly prayer meeting. when saints come together as an assembled company of believers to pray go with me to chapter two quickly please let me read with you in verse one for ten days later after that first gathering in the upper room in chapter one ten days later the promise of the Lord Jesus was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, the sending of the Holy Spirit. Now may I point out to you where the believers were, and that they were all together. When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. I say lovingly and earnestly, I wish that every believer in this assembly was present tonight. And may I say frankly, that's the way God would have it. And here we find on the day of Pentecost they would... And please note, know what it says in verse one. They were all with one accord in complete agreement and fellowship. and nowhere in one place. Fortunately, they were able to meet in one place in that day all the company. You couldn't get all the church today in one place. But would you God, you can't believe it's coming together with one accord in one place to pray. But thus the day of Pentecost began. And my beloved, I'm sure, from the context that proceeds in chapter one, and the forty days in which the Lord Jesus mingled with the disciples before he went back to heaven, they were united together. But let me go further to another scripture. Chapter two, if you please. Chapter two. Let me read in verse forty-one to begin with, after the message of Peter. Please note the result of Peter's preaching on that day of Pentecost. For may I point out, your context revealed that the disciples were not involved with what was going on in Jerusalem. The true disciples were in the presence of God with one accord in one place. And if you would be in Jerusalem that time of this particular occasion, it was being filled with many Jews, seeking to fulfill the mosaic practice of the Feast of Pentecost. Sitting in the temple and its surroundings. But may I remind you, Here were a hundred and twenty disciples of the Lord Jesus, the result of his ministry through his life. Together in one place. And he was dead. The Holy Spirit came as the context reveals. And he came with a loud noise. And the whole city heard it. And wondered. And when they saw now what happened, they came to the place where it happened. As you may read in chapter two, wonder what happened on that blessed day. And the Spirit descended upon the disciples in that one building where they were gathered. They went on in the temple at Jerusalem, trying to follow out the Mosaic law. They were waiting for the fulfillment. on the promise of the Lord Jesus, the coming of the Holy Spirit. Now when Peter thus finished his preaching on that day of Pentecost, let me begin reading in verse forty-one and read through verse forty-two. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day they were added unto them to the hundred and twenty Three thousand souls, and they continued steadfastly. Now note how these converted people went on. They continued steadfastly in the Apostles' teaching, which the word doctrine means, and in the Apostles' fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, which undoubtedly was the Lord's Supper. And last of all, in prayers. Now, beloved me, I say, three thousand souls added. That would make three thousand one hundred and twenty. If the correct number is that. But they continued. And one of the things they continued in was prayers. One has once stated that prayer is the expression of full, complete dependence upon God. My beloved, they knew their need, but they knew there was one that could meet that need, and that was God. Go with me to chapter four, if you please, for brevity's sake. Let me go to verse twenty-four. You may read this fourth chapter and what you will find out. The two apostles, Peter and John, have been preaching. And they had been commanded by the Sanhedrin to stop preaching about the Lord Jesus. And yet they told that Sanhedrin they should obey God rather than men. But I want you to notice something. when they were let go in verse twenty three first of all and then we read through verse twenty four being let go they went to their own company and that company was a company of believers and they reported all that the chief priests and the elders they fed unto them now note the result when they heard that they lifted up their voice to God with one accord. Don't you wish every believer in the Assam and Wazir who could participate in that privilege? In unity and unitedness of heart? I know what they pray. Lord, thou art God. which has made heaven enough. Please, if you may note, let me go down the chapter. I want you to know what has happened as a result of their prayer in verse thirty-one. Please let me repeat again this problem of the ecclesiastical leaders, the chief priests and the elders of Jerusalem, that they should stop preaching the gospel. of our Lord Jesus Christ. They went to God in prayer about it. Now we read in verse thirty, well verse thirty-one, when they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they state the Word of God with boldness. Now let me raise a question. If ecclesiastical authorities today were to seek to forbid beloved believers from preaching the word of God, what would you do? Would you obey them? Those who had ecclesiastical authority as they felt they did. These believers went to the God of prayer. They took the whole problem to Him. And my beloved Lemmy said, it was an assembly problem. Not an individual one. Don't include it, all the individual. And I want to tell you very frankly, it's the assemblies that have more joint problems than they have individual problems. Oftentimes, as we have in our prayer meetings together, we touch more upon the individual needs. of certain people. But here was something in relation to the work of the Lord and the preaching of the Gospel and the exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. And instead of being willing to stop, they said, Lord, make us even more bold. And that's what the Lord did. That's what the Lord did. And may I go further as you go down the chapter, you'll find. Well, let me read verse thirty-two. The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul. My beloved, let me say them. Please let me say they were all of one heart. I say it reverently, I say it lovingly and earnestly. But to God that every believer in this assembly was of one heart and one soul. In relation to the responsibility of the gospel under the word of God. But let me go further to another occasion, if you please. Go with me to chapter twelve. In this book of the Acts, I'm only pointing out seven examples of assembly prayer meetings. Chapter twelve, if you please. Let me begin reading in verse one and read down through verse five. Here was another danger. This is not an individual or one, though it was a danger to one particular individual and special, you know, but it was a danger to the divine testimony which they held together. reading in verse one, now about that time Herod the King. Here's a political problem coming up. He stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And what did he do? In his civil authority and political power that he had over the nation, he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. Now what could these Christians do against? The king, the government, the sword that he held in his hand, that he had already manifested its power. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, we read he proceeded further to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread. And when he had apprehended Peter, He'd put him in prison and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him, intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. And we read verse five. Peter therefore was kept in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. A united prayer meeting for one of the servants of God. It was not a question of ecclesiastical power seeking to be manifested with its authority. It was political. Against which they had no strength to fight. And neither should they fight against the sword. But there was a way to... for deliverance. That night, as you may read the chapter through, Peter was sleeping that night before Herod was intending to bring him forth the next day and slay him. But while Herod was sleeping, the Christians were praying. Can I apply that? Put it this way, while our government is sleeping, we Christians ought to be praying. Herod didn't know the power of God. Neither did he know the power of prayer. And may I humbly say and confess it, personally, we do not know the power of prayer as we are. And you know the story as follows. God delivered Peter. As you read the account, he sent his angels. And what did the angel do? He came into the prison. The gates that were locked meant nothing. True to me more. And to Peter he came. And wonderful thing. Peter was even sleeping. the night before he was to have his head cut off. Because usually, Peter's blessed. There was a time in Peter's experience when Jesus was living. The disciples were in a storm in a boat and the Lord Jesus was with them. And in that storm they were afraid. And the Lord Jesus was asleep on a pillow. It's the only time you ever read of the Lord Jesus having a pillow to sleep on during his earthly ministry. But the disciples went to him and woke him up. Carest thou not that we perish? They were more worried about themselves than they were the Lord. But now Peter will learn how to go to sleep when danger threatens. Can you? Can I? And Peter is delivered. But go down the chapter, please, before we pass on further. As you may well know from this story, Peter is released and suddenly he finds himself outside of the prison and he comes to his realization. It's real. He thought he was dreaming. No, it actually took place. And we find. Look in verse twelve. When Peter is considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. May I say again the dear disciples on this occasion, we're praying. And even the ones you may read that follows. He did not believe he was at the door. When little Rhoda went to the door and heard his voice and came and told them, Peter's at the door. They would not believe it. That's strange, isn't it? Well, look in verse sixteen. But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened the door and thought, they were astonished. They were even surprised that God had answered their prayer. Well, it was a good surprise anyway. But he bending unto them with a hand to hold their peace, declared unto them, How the Lord had brought him out of the prison, and said, Go, show these things unto James and to the brethren. And he departed and went into another place to get out of the way of Herod's power. But the emphasis. The assembly gathered together for prayer. And please may I be reminded of what they did, they prayed all night. Do you ever have an all night prayer meaning? I question it. But let's go to another scripture if you please. Chapter thirteen, the next chapter. An example of assembly prayer. reading at verse one and reading through verse three. Now there were in the church that was at Antioch, and this was a Gentile church, three hundred miles north of Jerusalem. They were in that assembly, certain prophets, men that had the gift of telling what the word and the mind of God was, and there were those that were teachers. And some of them are named, as you have them here. And we read in verse two, as they minister to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said. Note again the emphasis on the Holy Spirit. For there is no question of doubt. They looked to the Holy Spirit of God to be their leader and guide and director. And the Holy Spirit said, Separate me, Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost departed. Here's another example of an assembly prayer group. They pray together. Now let me go to the last one in reference that I can mention from the Book of the Acts. Chapter twenty-one, if you please. Chapter twenty-one, a very strange prayer meeting. One, did you and I can certainly be surprised? Then we begin reading at verse one, if you please, and go down through verse five. It came to pass that after we, Paul and his companions, were gotten from them and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coah, the day following under Rhodes and from Thames, unto Patera, and finding a ship, sailing over under Phoenicia we went aboard and set forth. Now when we had discovered Cyprus, as they were traveling to Jerusalem, Paul was determined to go to Jerusalem with his company. We left it on the left hand and sailed into Syria and landed and note the place at a town called Tyre. For there the ship was to unlay her burden. So while the ship was unloading some of the cargo, they found certain disciples. We tarried there seven days, who said to fall through the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem. And note verse five and verse six. When we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way. And they all, all the believers brought us out on our way with wives, with children, till we were out of the city and we kneeled down on the shore and prayed. And when we had taken only one of another, we took ship and they returned home again. Think of it. All the company of believers that lived in time. When were the apostles outside of the city with its noise and tumult, to the quietness of the seashore. We're under the canopy of heaven. They knelt down and had a prayer meeting. And please note particularly in verse five, their wives and their children were there. My beloved, what a prayer meeting. Their wives and their children were with them. You never let me just say again, here are seven examples of a mutual assembly prayer where believers gather together in the place of prayer, in the presence of God. Oh, I say again, lovingly and earnestly, the great need today amongst the saints of God is prayer. Let me close with two exhortations. One in the book of Ephesians, if you please. Chapter six and verse eighteen. You all may be familiar with the description of the divine armor that God has provided for the believers, as Paul wrote to the Christians at Ephesus. But may I read verse eighteen? I'm going to point out the emphasis for whom in a united prayer meeting we should be praying. Praying always. And there you have the emphasis on constant dependence upon God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication. And note the emphasis of the word all for all things. Look at the beginning of the verse. All prayers. And then later, all perseverance. And last of all, for all saints. My beloved, let me say, do you and I pray for all saints? Let us be encouraged. I love the testimony of dear David. He prayed for all the people of God. You may read it in chapter twenty-eight of the book of the Psalms, verse nine. Lord, save thy people. Bless thine inheritance. Feed them also. Last of all, lift them up forever. May I raise the question again? Under responsibility. One responsibility of the united prayer meeting of an assembly of believers praying for every saint in the world not only that one more scripture in closing first Timothy first Timothy chapter one or chapter two rather let me begin in chapter one or rather verse one I should say chapter two of first Timothy and here's the Here you have the Apostle Paul commending prayer to be made. Not for saints, but for all men. I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. And he even names kings, all that are in authority. For what reason? That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Now note the next word. Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth? My beloved again I say we have the responsibility and not only to be praying for all saints but for all men for all men need to be saved. Beloved, listen. Tragedy after tragedy is going to take place in this world because men are not following God. And may I go further, I believe that saints are neglected to pray as they should. But oh, may I say, God wants all men to be saved. Whether they be murderers, or whether they just be plain unbelievers. But whatever category they may be in the way of their sinful character, God will have all men. It doesn't mean they're all going to be saved, but He wants them saved, not willing that any should perish. Beloved, I say again, may God by His Holy Spirit burden your heart and soul and mind to be doing what we should do with faith in a united way praying for the saints of the world and the lost in the world shall we pray our dearly beloved father we close our meditation you've given us seven examples where thy saints assemble for prayer. The last example was on the seashore, in the open air. But they reached the throne of God. Oh, beloved Father, we pray that the Holy Spirit will burden every one of us in this assembly and all other gatherings of saints wherever they are, to pray always, in the name and for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Well, thank you for listening, and may the Lord bless this world.