“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” – Acts 6:4
LIGHT FOR NOW: The believer must not pray only when he feels like, the believer must be steadfast and diligent in prayers.
The prescription for ministry and the description for ministry given or stated by the early church is:
- The word &
- The prayer
You can thus know that you are in a wrong place or a wrong church where the word and prayer is just on the background, that is, it is not taken seriously. They said “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer…” Notice what Acts 6:4 did not say; it did not say:
- But we will give ourselves sometimes to prayer.
- But we will give ourselves to prayer only when we feel like it.
- But we will give ourselves to prayer only when we are lacking something.
- But we will give ourselves to prayer only when circumstances are not in our favour.
They said “We will give ourselves CONTINUALLY to prayer”. That word “continually” is so important. That word “continually” was translated from the Greek word “proskartereo” – it means to be earnest towards, to persevere, to be constantly diligent, and to adhere closely to. In essence, what they were saying is: “We will give ourselves diligently to prayer…”; “We will give ourselves constantly to pray…”; “We will give ourselves closely to prayer”; “We will persevere in prayers…” What a strong word – CONTINUALLY. The believer thus, must put forth diligence in prayers – he must stay in it; persevere in it; he must give himself earnestly, closely and constantly to it. Prayer is thus constant for every believer in Christ. Prayer is a necessity. Diligence in prayer means I will stay at it, I will be immovable, I will persevere in it. In Acts 2:42, the bible has this to say “And they continued stedfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”. So they continued in prayers. That word stedfastly in Acts 2:42 was translated from the same Greek word “proskartereo” used in Acts 6:4. In essence, the word “continually” in Acts 6:4 can also be replaced with the word “stedfastly” used in Acts 2:42. So, there is steadfastness in prayer, where you stay at it and you are diligent in it. Prayer is thus a necessity. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Be steadfast in prayer.
CONFESSION: I declare that I am steadfast in the place of prayer, in Jesus Name. Amen.
QUOTE: Steadfastness in prayer shows diligence in prayer.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: ACTS CHAPTER 2; EVENING: ACTS CHAPTER 6
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 