A Praying Church in Jerusalem

Rev. C. Vogelaar, Covell Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI

After the ascension of the Lord Jesus the disciples returned to Jerusalem as He had commanded them. There was joy in their heart, the joy of holy adoration and worship of their exalted King. Now, they were in Jerusalem where Christ had told them to wait for the promise of the Father. Had He not said to them, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever”? So again, there was a time of waiting for them. It was not a waiting, however, without doing anything or just talking about the promise they had received. No, it was a waiting with prayer and supplications.

This month we will have the National Day of Prayer. There will also be a meeting of the Curatorium, and we hope to commemorate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. What a blessing it would be if, in all our churches, there would be a people storming the throne of grace, united in prayer—prayer for our nation, which has departed so far from the path of obedience to God’s holy law—prayer that the Curatorium may be given light and wisdom and that it may please the Lord to send labourers, called and sent by Him, to labour in the mission field and in our churches—prayer that He may also grant elders and deacons to serve in the consistories in the fear of God—and prayer for a reviving work of the Holy Spirit, for Pentecost blessings among us.

No, they did not just have one prayer service there in the upper room, but every one of those ten days was a prayer day. Should not that be our place, also, in these times of spiritual darkness, confusion, and barrenness?

Promises

It is true that all these things are forfeited by our many sins. However, true prayer never rests upon any worthiness in man; rather, it pleads upon what the Lord has spoken. “Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope” (Psalm 119:49). Such supplications were also sent up to heaven by the waiting church in Jerusalem, in the upper room where they were assembled. They were together as beggars at the throne of grace. What a blessed place they had there, united with one accord, pleading upon the Saviour’s own word, upon His promise. He had spoken before His ascension that He would not leave them comfortless; He would not leave them as orphans. He had promised, “But ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

No, they did not just have one prayer service there in the upper room, but every one of those ten days was a prayer day. Should not that be our place, also, in these times of spiritual darkness, confusion, and barrenness? No, we cannot bring ourselves to the right place, but should we not supplicate the Lord to visit us in mercy with the rain of the Spirit and to bring us there? That it would be among us as the prophet spoke in Isaiah 64:1: “Oh, that Thou wouldest rend the heavens, that Thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at Thy presence.”

There are many complaints about the wickedness of our days, about the sad condition of the church, and, perhaps, about the darkness in our lives, but where is the true sorrow about this and the humble confession of guilt? In Jerusalem the disciples were assembled with a true need, with a sincere desire that the Lord might fulfill His promise.

Continue in prayer

The Lord answers prayer, not at our time but at His time, the time of His good pleasure. The disciples did not rest in their religious activities; they could not let the Lord go except He would bless them. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” True beggars for food must be helped; therefore, as an old expression among God’s children says, “They put their foot in the door.” They cannot let the Lord go; they cling to the throne of grace. Yes, undeserving in themselves, like a little dog, as the Canaanitish woman, they continue to beg, to plead, and to wrestle for mercy. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:12, “Continuing instant in prayer.” Also, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we read, “Pray without ceasing,” that is, also when circumstances seem to be so discouraging and the enemy seeks to turn us away from the beggar’s place. Paul further admonishes in Ephesians 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

So it was in Jerusalem where the disciples and the women were united in prayer; the Lord heard their supplications. At Pentecost the heaven was rent, and the promise of the Father was given. The Holy Spirit came to dwell in the church. He gave power from on high and, as a result, much boldness in the preaching. Also, there was blessed fruit upon the preaching. Hearts were broken, pierced by the sword of the Spirit, and people were crying, “What shall we do?” At Pentecost there was fellowship, brotherly love, and a testimony which made deep impressions upon many and was blessed with much fruit.

The great Intercessor

This outpouring of the Spirit was given upon the continued, united prayers of the assembled disciples and the women—an outpouring upon their prayers but not because of their prayers. It was only because of the prayer of the exalted Christ at the right hand of the Father. He had said that He would pray the Father who would give them another Comforter.

He keeps His promises. He prays, not as a supplicant, but as One who has a right to what He asks of the Father, a right based on His finished work. That should be the hope of the Church today in spite of all that may discourage us. There is an Advocate in heaven, Jesus Christ the Righteous. He pleads the cause of His Church even when they do not know how to pray as they ought. May they, then, look up to heaven, to their Prophet, their High Priest, and their King. The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. This is sure; He will have His bride. As the prophet spoke, “He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied.” He shall rejoice in His blood-bought bride, His Church, and they will rejoice in Him.

My dear, unconverted friend, should you not bow your knees and ask the Lord to give you a true Prayer Day and also ask that you may receive the place of a beggar? “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” He is near when He calls you to turn from your evil ways and to surrender unto Him. He is so worthy to be served. You may ask God’s children whether they ever had a reason to be disappointed in Him. Blessed are the people who may be taught and guided by the Spirit. He will teach sinners His ways, ways in which God alone will receive all the honour for His own work. Then His people will receive their desire and they will glorify Him.

Prayer Day

God grant us grace to lift up our eyes to that God, the Father of lights, from whom cometh down every good gift and every perfect gift. Then we shall lie at God’s feet, aware of our unworthiness, realizing that we are but dust and ashes; then our hearts will be constantly beseeching the throne of grace. May it please Him to bless the seed and grant fruitfulness from heaven. May He confirm His promise that seedtime and harvest shall not cease and also bless us this year to the end that there may be seed for the sower and bread for the eater. Our sins mount up to heaven and iniquity is multiplied. The name of God is blasphemed, His day desecrated, and sin is freely discussed as in Sodom of old.

Alas! The world is almost universally forsaking and renouncing God. As a rule, God is no longer reckoned with. Viewing our own sin and guilt and the sins of the nation, there is no more hope or expectation. If God were to enter into judgment and withhold fruitfulness and blessings, we should not only have to keep silence but also testify that God is just in all that He does. By our great sins we have forfeited all; nevertheless, may it please the Lord to remember His covenant for His name’s sake and, notwithstanding the sins which cry to heaven, send His blessings down from above. He does not do so for our sake but always takes reasons out of Himself, and this is the only thing which still gives us hope, also on this Prayer Day.

— Rev. W.C. Lamain

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