The Book of Acts ~ Study Three

"The Next Step"


Acts 1:12-14 (NLT) Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.
   Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.


I remember that right after my mother passed away our family wanted to be together all the time. It was probably the grief we shared but it was also the memories of Mom that we could talk about. We all had a common link and that was our relationship to her.


Jesus' mother Mary, his brothers, some of the women who followed Him and the remaining disciples had gathered in the upstairs room of the place they were staying. It was the place where those who had grieved the loss of their beloved Rabbi and son met. Now they were no longer grieving because Jesus had proved Himself to be alive. He proved Himself Lord. He had walked the earth for forty days after His death and resurrection and now had risen to sit at the right hand of God. Presently, those close to Jesus united in prayer constantly waiting for the next step.


What was this next step? How would they know what that next step was? Are you currently waiting for the next step in your life? Are you just walking around in circles?  


These dear people met together, held as one because of their common bond ~ "The Risen Christ." This same bond binds you and I together. He is the scarlet thread that wraps our hearts as one. Jesus had told the disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait. As they were waiting for this promised gift they prayed constantly.


The next step is always prayer. Some may think prayer is just a pat answer to the question of "What now?" It's not. It's the essential first step in our lives of faith. Not only are we to pray alone, we are to pray together.


Romans 12:12 (NLT) Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.


Prayer is our response to God. It is preparing for His will. The Greek words for "joined together constantly" (used in verse 14) is "eimi proskartereo" and means "to be present, to join, to be ready." Personal and solitary prayer is essential to knowing what God wants our next step to be. We must be ready to move when God says go. Our hearts must be in tune with His heart willing to follow His plan.


Colossians 4:2 (NLT) Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.


When we fall on our knees and acknowledge God and wait on Him, we are moving in the right direction. It is the position God wants us in because it tells Him that we are paying attention to Him and really want to know what His will is.


Those huddled together in prayer in this upstairs room patiently and faithfully waited on Him. And God answered their prayers in a big way. He wants us unified as believers, always wanting His perfect plan. Stay tuned to find out their next step.

Prayer is ALWAYS the first next step.