When All Else fails, Read The Instructions!

In my College Chemistry Lab was a large banner that read, "When all else fails read the instructions!" Our professor put it up because most of our problems with the experiments were due to our neglecting to carefully read the instructions. That seems to be a life-long problem with many people. We just charge into things and realize there is an instruction manual only when nothing is working. Women tell me it is a male problem; I am not sure about that.

In any case, the beginning of Acts shows a remarkable model to follow. Jesus gave the Disciples a project, "you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." [1:8b] That was the project they had been training for. They had gone out on short Mission trips, so they had an idea what to do. I can see Peter charging right into it.

However, Jesus also told them "Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised," [1:4a] And womder of womders they heeded the instructions, they waited in Jerusalem until Pentecost!

What impresses me even more is what they did while they waited. They spent their time in intentional, prolonged prayer. "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together)," [1:14-15]

I think they did this because over the years with Jesus they saw Him praying so much. Not just on a daily basis, but also before important points like choosing the twelve and before the Crucifixion. Since they were facing an important step, they followed that exampled, gathered and prayed.

Their example reminds me of a statement Billy Graham is reputed to have made. Someone asked him "What the Christians needed to do in preparation for the Crusade? Since they really wanted it to be effective." He replied, "First they needed to pray. Then they needed to pray some more. Finally, they needed to pray even more!"

Like reading the instructions last, we too often pray as a last resort. Prayer meetings are often poorly attended and those there often do not spend much time in prayer. We sing the hymn, "Sweet Hour Of Prayer" but when was the last time you spent a whole hour in fervent prayer, let alone days like the Disciples did?

As I read Acts and meditate on it, I am impressed with how important prayer was in the early church. I come across the same theme throughout church history as in this example: "It is quite well-known how the congregation was deeply moved as Jonathan Edwards preached his sermon, 'Sinners in the hands of an angry God.' ... The power of that sermon is still felt in the United States today. However, the secret of that sermon's power is known to few Christians. Some believers in that vicinity of Enfield, Mass., had become alarmed that, while God was blessing other places, He should in anger pass them by. And so they met on the evening before the sermon-and spent that whole night in agonizing prayer. The rest is history."

As I look at the News, the needs locally, the needs in my family, and the challenges in my own life, I realize that like the Disciples I am not up to the task. Fortunately, my instruction manual is the Bible and the same God is ready to work in and through me. That is true for you too. Like them, we can decide to follow the instructions and pray.

Set aside some time to pray for the physical and spiritual needs of yourself and others. Pray for God to work His will in and through you. Join me in following the instructions.

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker April 2005



Articles by Rev. Daniel B. Baker :: Webmaster: Joseph I. Baker