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The New Testament records how the Holy Spirit guided the early church to thrive in prayer. From the beginning of the New Testament Church, prayer was offered continuously - individually and collectively by the believers. Public prayers were common in the church of the apostolic era. In the Book of Acts itself, there are about 50 instances of prayer – both private and (mostly) public prayers.

Persistent prayers of the apostles and early believers played a major role in advancing the Gospel work and establishing churches in Israel, Asia Minor, Europe, and even to the ends of the earth. Through prayer, Christians persevered and progressed in their spiritual growth and established churches amid great opposition and persecution arising in most places.

Communal Prayer Gatherings

Right from the inception of the church, believers gathered to pray. Such gatherings of believers were regular and frequent. The following records in the Acts of the Apostles give evidence to the early believers’ commitment to collective prayers in the early churches. Some of those instances of communal prayers were pre-arranged, while others were spontaneous.

• “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14).
• “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
• “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour” (Acts 3:1).
• “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
• “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).
• “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:15).
• “… but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5).
• “… he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:12).
• “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted… And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:2-3).
• “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:23).
• “And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made” (Acts 16:13).
• “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25).
• “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer…” (Acts 16:16).
• “And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all” (Acts 20:36).
• “… we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed” (Acts 21:5).

The early believers met together to pray whenever and wherever they found it necessary. Having no church building, they met in homes which were large enough to accommodate their gatherings. They also met to pray in the temple and in synagogues until they were forbidden from those places by the Jewish authorities. On occasion, they would meet in public places, like riverbanks and the seashore, to pray. When in trouble, those who were together would pray, like Paul and Silas who prayed in their prison cell.

In all those instances of communal prayers, believers met with one accord to pray (cf. Acts 1:14; 2:42, 46-47; 4:24). They were all in harmony about what had been uttered to God in prayer. The ones who prayed articulated the thoughts of all who had gathered to pray. In their prayers, they praised God (cf. Acts 2:47; 3:8-9; 4:21; 27:35), submitted their petitions in conformity to the Scriptures (cf. Acts 4:24-29), prayed for the preachers of the Word (cf. Acts 4:29), asked for healing and strength for their persecuted and afflicted brethren (cf. Acts 4:30-31), and pleaded for the spiritual progress and protection of the believers and their works (cf. Acts 14:23, 26; 15:40; 20:32).

The New Testament also records the apostolic exhortations to the churches to get together to pray. The apostle Paul exhorted men to pray during believers’ gatherings, as well as for one another – “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men… I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2:1, 8). Paul encouraged the Roman Christians to strive together with him in prayer – “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me” (Romans 15:30). The apostle James exhorted Christians to engage in prayer for one another, when sickness afflicts them – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). They were also told for whom they should not pray – “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it” (1 John 5:16).

Personal Times of Prayer

The apostles and the early Christians also spent time in personal prayers to God. They prayed at various times – morning, afternoon, evening, night. Some even fasted and prayed for several days. In their prayers, they worshipped God and prayed for themselves, others, and the Lord’s work. Following are a few examples of the many personal prayer times mentioned in the New Testament:

• At the time of his extreme physical pain, trauma and death, Stephen, who was stoned, called “upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60).
• “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up” (Acts 9:40).
• “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:2).
• “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour” (Acts 10:9).
• “And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God” (Acts 10:30-31).
• “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy” (Philippians 1:4).
• “For what thanks can we render to God again for you, … night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?” (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10).

Whether it be communal or personal prayer, the believers were engaged in prayer happily and confidently – “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us; and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14-15). They prayed on very many subjects, but always submitting to God’s will as revealed in His Word.

Let it be our joy to pray for one another in our communal and private prayers, for it is a privilege and duty which God’s Word teaches us for the edification of the body of Christ. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Date: 12 January

To:
Members and brethren of,
Calvary Kuching B-P Church
Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore
All GBPC’s mission churches (in Ethiopia, the Philippines, India and China)

On behalf of the Committee of Calvary Kuching Bible-Presbyterian Church (CKBPC) and the BOE of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church (GBPC), we greet you all in the blessed Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

We have the joy of announcing that by the Lord’s providence and leading, CKBPC and GBPC have come together in a spiritual and fraternal relationship with effect from 1 January 2021. With this union, GBPC will take on the complete oversight of CKBPC’s spiritual and administrative LEADERSHIP as one of GBPC’s mission churches. We are grateful in the Lord, that the BOE of Calvary Jaya BP Fellowship who previously provided this role joyously and well has confirmed their agreement.

We pray the Lord will be gracious to bless our two congregations as we co-labour and strive to extend and prosper the cause of the Gospel in Kuching, throughout Sarawak and beyond. Amen.

Bro. Jeremy Teo
Chairman, Committee
Calvary Kuching B-P Church

Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Chairman, BOE
Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, Singapore

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Proposed Amendments to the Constitution Questions & Answers

Q1: Why is there a need for the amendments?
A1: The current Constitution was approved on 13 July 1995 and over the past 3 decades many significant events have taken place in our Church, the Bible-Presbyterian movement in Singapore, Christendom as a whole and society at large. The current Constitution, for our spiritual and administrative guidance needs to be amended to give legal standing for the reaffirmation of our Church’s beliefs and practices which are according to Scripture, and the approved doctrines and practices of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Presbyterianism, to confront the newer attacks against the Lord Jesus Christ, Scripture and its truths. The amendments are also meant to further strengthen the leadership of our Church by making provisions for more God-given, spiritually qualified and gifted men to serve as leaders of the Church.

Q2: What are these amendments?
A2. The proposed amendments may be categorised as: a) Restating certain paragraphs and sentences in the Constitution to clearly explain and support the unchanged Scriptural foundation of our beliefs and practices. Hence, additional Bible references are included; certain words and expressions are changed to firm up the church’s biblical beliefs and practices. In response to attacks from various quarters in the increasingly sin-tolerant world and alternate life style practices against the Lord Jesus and His teachings as recorded in the Bible, certain parts of the Constitution are re-stated to make our original and unchanged doctrinal position clear.

b) Following the Biblical teaching and aligning with the Presbyterian practices regarding Church leadership. The Bible is clear that the Church is to be ruled by elders - pastors (who are teaching elders) and ruling elders. Deacons render their invaluable services unto the Lord in supporting functions, rather than ruling. The present constraint of only nine Session members allowable is removed to enable more God-gifted men whom the Lord would be pleased to call to serve as elders, deacons and preachers in our growing Church and into the future. The requirements and roles of preachers are also clearly defined.

c) Updating relevant sections to align with the proposed amendments in a) and b) above, for example replacing the word “Session” with “BOE”, and necessary administrative updates, e.g. the change of official address.

Q3. What is the process involved in amending the Constitution?
A3. The proposed Amendments can only be adopted after the Registry of Societies (ROS), Singapore has approved them. The steps are:
1. Develop the first draft of the proposed “Revised Constitution of Gethsemane BPC, 2021” incorporating the propose amendments (completed by the Review Committee, comprising Pastor Koshy, Elder Francis Lee & Elder Mah)
2. Endorsement of the first draft, incorporating other changes by the BOE, GBPC (completed)
3. Endorsement of the first draft, incorporating other changes by the Session, GBPC (completed)
4. Communicate with members, GBPC (ongoing, to be completed by 5 Feb 2021)
5. Endorsement of the first draft, incorporating changes by members, GBPC (at the Extraordinary Congregational Meeting [ECM] on 6 Feb 2021)
6. File the first draft with ROS (to be done on 7 Feb 2021)
7. Receive reply from ROS (likely with questions and required changes)
8. Study (7) above, develop the second draft, incorporating agreed changes together with accompanying explanations to ROS for not accepting certain changes
9. Endorsement of the second draft by the BOE
10. Reply to ROS, with the second draft and accompanying explanations.
11. Tasks (7)-(10) continue, with the updated third, fourth, etc revision(s), till the final draft (as suggested by ROS and acceptable to the BOE) is achieved
12. Communicate with members, GBPC
13. File confirmed version with ROS for approval.
14. Receive approval from ROS for the “Revised Constitution of Gethsemane BPC, 2021”
15. Communicate to members, GBPC. (End of Project) s

As Christians, we ought to be a prayerful people. The Scriptures, both in the Old and New Testaments, teach us the importance of prayer—both by exhortation and example (cf. Deut. 4:29; Ps. 50:15; 91:15; Isa. 55:6; Jer. 33:3; Lk. 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:17; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:8; Jam. 5:13–16; 1 Jn. 5:16).

Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, taught about the necessity of prayer (cf. Lk. 18:1), the manner of prayer (Matt. 5:24; 6:16–18; 7:7; Mk. 11:24–26; 13:33; Jn. 15:7), and the benefits of prayer (Matt. 7:8–11; 21:22; 26:41; Lk. 21:36; Jn. 15:16). He also gave an illustration as to how we ought to pray (Matt. 6:9–15). Moreover, Jesus assured us of His presence when brethren meet to discuss and pray according to His counsels, about matters or problems that would arise in the church (Matt. 18:18–20).

Jesus is our supreme Example. He was in the habit of praying alone, with His disciples, and with others, whenever it was necessary or deemed fit to Him. Though He was full of grace and glory, truth and might, He humbly prayed. He prayed to praise the Father (Lk. 10:21; Jn. 11:41), to yield to the Father’s will (Lk. 22:42), and to seek the Father’s aid for Himself and the people around Him (Jn. 12:27; Lk.22:32; 23:34; Jn 17:9, 15).

We must emulate Christ’s example in our lives and ministries, that we may effectively fulfil the Father’s will concerning us. Here are some examples of Christ’s prayer patterns:

Christ prayed alone:

• “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Mk. 1:35).
• “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Lk. 5:16).
• “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Lk. 6:12).
• “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not…” (Lk 22:31–32).
• Matthew 26:39–44 records Jesus’ praying in Gethsemane prior to His arrest and crucifixion (cf. Mk. 14:32–42).

Christ prayed with and for others

The following verses show us that Christ prayed while others were with Him.

• “And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him…” (Lk. 9:18).
• “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Lk. 11:1).
• “…he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering” (Lk. 9:28–29).
• John 17 records Christ’s pastoral prayer for His disciples (who were with Him), as well as for all the future believers (vv. 1–26).

Christ prayed in public before people who gathered around Him

• Jesus prayed before John the baptizer and others at His baptism—“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened” (Lk. 3:21).
• Immediately after His upbraiding of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, Jesus prayed to His Father, which was meant to be heard by prospective believers—“I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight” (Matt. 11:25–26).
• Before the seventy who returned to Christ, He expressed His joy in the form of a prayer of praise and adoration, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him” (Lk. 10:21–22).
• Jesus “gave thanks” to God (eucharistéō—Mk 8:6; Jn. 6:11) and “blessed” (eulogéō—Matt 14:19; Mk. 6:41; 8:7; Lk. 9:16) before thousands of people as He was about to provide food for them.
• At the grave of Lazarus, before all gathered there, He prayed—“And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me” (Jn. 11:41–42).
• Before the Jews and Greeks who gathered around, Jesus prayed as his heart was troubled—“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name” (Jn. 12:27–28a).
• From the cross, Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).

A note of clarification here. Jesus did warn against hypocrisy in prayer, especially against the public display of piety with long and ritualistic prayers. He said, “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:5). Some overly-reactive believers have used this warning of Jesus as a reason to renounce all public prayer. But neither the Lord nor the Scriptures ever taught against praying in public. As shown above, Christ often prayed in the presence of His disciples and in public. The Scriptural records also abundantly show that many godly men of the Old and New Testaments prayed in public. Rather, what we all should avoid is praying hypocritically, whether public or private. It is not an outward display of piety that God desires, but our hearts’ humility, repentance, and faith.

(God willing, next week, we will look at the prayer pattern of the early New Testament Church.)