Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Apostles

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The apostles, as foundational figures in the early Christian church, frequently experienced direct answers to their prayers, demonstrating the power and presence of God in their ministry. Their experiences serve as a testament to the efficacy of prayer and the faithfulness of God in responding to the needs of His servants.

1. The Selection of Matthias (Acts 1:24-26): After the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot, the apostles sought to fill his position among the Twelve. They prayed, "Lord, You know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place." (Acts 1:24-25). The lot fell to Matthias, indicating God's answer to their prayer for guidance in leadership.

2. The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4): The apostles, along with other believers, were gathered in prayer when the Holy Spirit descended upon them. This event, marked by the sound of a rushing wind and tongues of fire, fulfilled Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit and empowered the apostles for their mission. The immediate result was Peter's powerful sermon, leading to the conversion of about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41).

3. Peter and John’s Boldness (Acts 4:29-31): After being threatened by the Sanhedrin, Peter and John returned to their fellow believers and prayed for boldness to continue speaking God's word. "And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness," they prayed (Acts 4:29). The place where they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking the word of God boldly.

4. Peter’s Release from Prison (Acts 12:5-11): When Peter was imprisoned by Herod, the church earnestly prayed for him. In response, an angel of the Lord appeared in the prison, freed Peter from his chains, and led him out of the prison. Peter realized, "Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod's grasp and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating" (Acts 12:11).

5. Paul and Silas in Philippi (Acts 16:25-26): While imprisoned in Philippi, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the prison, opening the doors and loosening the chains of all the prisoners. This miraculous event led to the conversion of the jailer and his household, demonstrating God's power to deliver and transform lives in response to prayer.

6. Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-9): Paul prayed three times for the removal of a "thorn in the flesh," a messenger of Satan to torment him. Instead of removing the thorn, God answered, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). This response taught Paul to rely on God's grace and strength, even in weakness.

The apostles' experiences with answered prayer highlight the dynamic relationship between God and His people, where prayer is both a means of communication and a catalyst for divine intervention. Through their prayers, the apostles received guidance, boldness, deliverance, and deeper understanding of God's grace, all of which were crucial for the advancement of the early church.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 4:29-31
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Answers to Prayer
... repeatedly proved that the Lord hears and answers prayer! ... He has also said, through
his apostles, 'Be careful for ... but in everything, by prayer and supplication ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... as God manifest in the flesh, which was a common practice with the apostles. ... With
the evidence here presented, who can doubt that God hears and answers prayer? ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

The Christian Prayer
... 2 Kings 20:2-6), Ezra (9:5-15), Daniel (9:3-27), Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:6-15; John
17), The Apostles (Acts 1:14; 4:31 ... What can be said of answers to prayer? ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study vii the christian prayer.htm

The Prayer of Faith.
... The manner in which the apostles applied the promises, and prophecies, and declarations ...
the history of the church shows that when God answers prayer, he gives ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture v the prayer of.htm

Of the Perfection of Prayer to which we Can Rise by the System ...
... feet, and by his quickness of mind answers to the ... on the mountains of the prophets
and Apostles, ie, on ... his own utterances and his very own prayer; and will ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi of the perfection.htm

Elucidations.
... with the decree pronounced by the Apostles at Jerusalem ... so called, and providences
vouchsafed in answer to prayer. ... dare to affirm that marked answers to prayer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/elucidations.htm

Acts X
... or the enjoyment of any religious privilege, we have the apostles before us ... instead
of encouraging him to pray on, actually answers his prayer, by telling ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts x.htm

Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer (Continued)
... it clear and strong that God answers prayer, assuredly, certainly ... Spirit, was to
be committed to His apostles. ... His parting words and pray His parting prayer. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/vi jesus christ the divine.htm

Bear up the Hands that Hang Down, by Faith and Prayer...
... and pray, and hear no voice, but stay till God answers. ... Paul and Peter, and John
and the Apostles, and the ... Prayer puts God in the matter with commanding force ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ix bear up the.htm

Nearest to Christ
... an earthly kingdom, and had no idea that their prayer pointed beyond ... He answers"for
heaven ... was slain with the sword, first martyr among the apostles, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/nearest to christ.htm