The Prayer of the Apostles refers to the various instances and teachings on prayer found in the New Testament, particularly those involving the apostles of Jesus Christ. These prayers are significant as they provide insight into the early Christian understanding of communication with God, the role of prayer in the life of a believer, and the power of prayer in the ministry of the Church.

Biblical Instances of Apostolic Prayer

1. The Upper Room Prayer (Acts 1:14): After Jesus' ascension, the apostles, along with the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers, devoted themselves to prayer. "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." This gathering in the upper room highlights the unity and perseverance in prayer as they awaited the promised Holy Spirit.

2. The Prayer for Boldness (Acts 4:23-31): Following the release of Peter and John from the Sanhedrin, the believers prayed for boldness in the face of persecution. "And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness" (Acts 4:29). The place where they were meeting was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the power of collective prayer.

3. The Appointment of Deacons (Acts 6:6): When the apostles appointed seven men to serve as deacons, they prayed and laid hands on them. "They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them." This act underscores the importance of prayer in the commissioning and empowerment of church leaders.

4. Peter's Deliverance from Prison (Acts 12:5): While Peter was imprisoned, the church prayed earnestly for him. "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him." Their prayers were answered when an angel of the Lord miraculously freed Peter, illustrating the efficacy of intercessory prayer.

5. Paul and Silas in Philippi (Acts 16:25): While imprisoned, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God. "About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." Their prayers led to a miraculous earthquake that opened the prison doors, resulting in the conversion of the jailer and his household.

Teachings on Prayer by the Apostles

1. Paul's Exhortation to Pray Without Ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18): Paul encourages believers to maintain a constant attitude of prayer. "Rejoice at all times, pray without ceasing, give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." This teaching emphasizes the importance of a continual and thankful prayer life.

2. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prayer (Romans 8:26-27): Paul explains that the Holy Spirit assists believers in prayer. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words." This passage highlights the Spirit's role in guiding and empowering prayer.

3. Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom and Revelation (Ephesians 1:16-17): Paul prays for the Ephesian believers to receive spiritual insight. "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him." This prayer reflects the desire for deeper spiritual understanding and relationship with God.

4. James on the Power of Prayer (James 5:16): James emphasizes the effectiveness of righteous prayer. "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This teaching encourages believers to live righteously and pray earnestly, trusting in the power of prayer to effect change.

The prayers and teachings of the apostles serve as a foundational guide for Christian prayer, demonstrating its centrality in the life of the Church and its believers. Through their examples, the apostles illustrate the transformative power of prayer in personal lives, community, and the broader mission of the Church.Acts 1:24,25
And they prayed, and said, You, Lord, which know the hearts of all men, show whether of these two you have chosen,
Nave's Topical Index

After Prayer Jesus Selects Twelve Apostles.
... Part Fifth. From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) XLI. After
Prayer Jesus Selects Twelve Apostles. (Near Capernaum.) ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xli after prayer jesus selects.htm

Prayer Essential to God
... The Apostles were as dependent upon prayer as other folks. Sacred
work,"Church activities"may so engage and absorb us as to ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/i prayer essential to god.htm

The Prayer of Faith is the Only Power in the Universe to which the ...
... Only glimpses of this great importance of prayer could the apostles get before
Pentecost. But the Spirit coming and filling on Pentecost ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter v the prayer of.htm

The Ministry and Prayer
... The Apostles were helpless without prayer"and were absolutely dependent
upon it for success in defeating their spiritual foes. ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/vii the ministry and prayer.htm

The Lord's Prayer.
... 9. I pray for them. The apostles. The prayer from verse 9 to verse 19 is
for these. I pray not for the world. Not at this time; he ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the lords prayer.htm

Nearest to Christ
... Another introductory remark may be made, to the effect that our Lord does not put
aside this prayer of His apostles as if they were seeking an impossible thing ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/nearest to christ.htm

The Analysis of John.
... The Spirit and the World.16:1-33. *(8) The Prayer for the Apostles; for Believers
in all ages; for the Unity of the Church.17:1-26. IV. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the analysis of john.htm

The Apostles Chosen
... that blessed Saviour, "whom, not having seen, we love." And this was one reason
why Jesus spent the whole night in prayer, before choosing his twelve apostles. ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the apostles chosen.htm

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
... essential qualificatian to a man's fitness for being used of the Lord God for the
extension of his kingdom; hence our Lord's prayer for his apostles and other ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/our lords prayer for his.htm

The Lord's Prayer.
... Our Lord's prayer as to the apostles is, therefore, a threefold petition, viz.:
that they may be kept in unity, kept from the world and the devil, and that ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxii the lords prayer.htm

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