Thursday: Breaking of Bread and Prayer
Whatever the challenges the early church faced, they were united in their common faith in Jesus and in the truth He had entrusted them to spread to the world. It’s what Peter even called “present truth” (2 Pet. 1:12). And thus, united in the truth, they expressed their unity in a number of ways.
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“And they continued steadfastly … in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42, NKJV). This reference to breaking of bread probably refers to a fellowship meal or to regular meals shared between believers. At some point during a fellowship meal, someone would offer a special blessing over the bread and drink in memory of Jesus’ death and resurrection, in expectation of His soon return. Early Christians thus devoted their time to remembering the meaning of Jesus’ life and ministry, and loved to talk about it in fellowship meals. The meals they shared became moments of worship. “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47, NKJV). No doubt this time of fellowship together greatly helped strengthen the sense of unity they had in Jesus.
What examples do we have in the book of Acts of early Christians praying together? What did they pray for?
The early church cherished the opportunity for direct communication with God and never failed to offer up petitions to Him when gathered together in worship. Paul in his First Epistle to Timothy mentions the importance of prayer when Christians are together (1 Tim. 2:1). To the Ephesians, he also emphasized the need of prayer: “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – and for me” (Eph. 6:18-19, NKJV).
| What are ways that we can experience a deeper unity through the power of intercessory prayer for common causes? How does this prayer help unite us as a church? |
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The social context that we provide for the sharing of our common spiritual interests is far more important than we often give credit for. It is within this framework that we make good friends and where we can discuss issues that have the potential to divide us without fear of recrimination.
For many years we have belongs to a loose social group that met together for a pot-luck lunch once amonth at a local park overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Most of the group were colleagues and I always appreciated the fine post-prandial discussions as we sat in the shade and looked out over the restless waves. Differences were diminished; radical ideas discussed and mulled over; concerns over one other's health expressed; arrangements for supporting widows and widowers made. This was the "stuff" that made a church of real people functional.
I mention this social setting because this is where we heard the real prayers of one another. Not the formal prayers of a church service but the unspoken prayers of needs and doubts, and spiritual interchange. It was the occasion where the act of listening was as much part of praying as speaking.
I agree with.you Maurice! We still this going on today. in fact we have the pot-luck lunches each Saturday, and a rich discussion or interaction always finds its way. The beauty of such communions is that we are common to one another, which develops a "no hold bar" healthy for topics to be explored. This is still one of strengths of our church today. If well adopted, we've seen such assemblies growing into bigger things.
So true Mourice....in Our country we have social groups but call "prayer cell" where we meet and discuss,highlight heart touching elements that we rarely share on Sabbath school.
Prayer of itself may easily become a form that is actually offensive to God, just as intemperance will pollute our table. The Word of God defines the true prayer(s) that will come from unfeigned lips and hearts that do not sin against Him. Knowing, understanding and obeying the will of God will sanctify the prayers of God's faithful servants with the incense of Christ's righteousness. Notice how the parable of the two worshipers reveals the difference between the pretentious and genuine prayer. One can only pray in faith if living by faith in Christ, and believing on His name for salvation.
The privilege and benefits of prayer is for all who receive Jesus and all that He has commanded us, Who has promised us that our Father in heaven will hear. This blessed privilege will sweeten the breaking of bread, study, and all true fellowship among those who worship the Lord together.