Acts 1.12-14

Yesterday we saw the ascension of Jesus and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Today, in the face of huge change we see what the apostles (and others) do. 

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of Olives (which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away). When they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James were there. All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

(Acts 1.12-14, NET)

First, they are obedient (cf. v.4). Jesus told them to stay in Jerusalem and they returned…from the mountain…They didn’t listen and the go about their business as if they had never heard anything as, sadly, many do when hearing the Word.  

We also read that they continued in prayer with one mind, together with the women, and Jesus’ earthly immediate family. In the face of great change they got together to pray together in great unity. They were all experiencing the same situation, overlaid with their own personal circumstances, yet they continued in prayer with one mind. Their collective change was greater than their personal challenge. 

This is exactly what we are facing now. We are all dealing with the implications and challenges of COVID, yet in uniquely personal ways. I have spent the last ten days living alone in a room after being identified as a close contact of some positive cases. Others have travelled halfway around the world to help with loved ones hospitalised. Others have lost jobs. Others are busier at work than ever before. We are all dealing with the implications and challenges of COVID, yet in uniquely personal ways.

How do we all, with uniquely personal situations, move through this season together? 

All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

The changes we are all experiencing come in many ways, shapes, and forms, but the unity and community that comes from continuing together in prayer with one mind is greater. 

Points for prayer today (specific to Saar Fellowship):

• That our usual location will allow us to meet there from September onwards.
• Those travelling to care for family.
• Those losing or changing jobs.
• Families apart due to work/study/health reasons.
• People new to Bahrain would find the community that they seek.