Acts 1:14—“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
This is a quiet yet powerful portrait of Christ’s most faithful followers in the crucial days between Christ’s ascension and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. Having received Christ’s promise of power (Acts 1:8), the disciples do not rush into activity; instead, they wait in prayer. The verse describes a church that understands that divine promises are not seized by haste but received through humble dependence.
Luke emphasises that they “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” Their unity was not merely organisational but spiritual. It reflected a united, corporate posture of humble dependence upon God. Prayer was not an occasional exercise but a persevering discipline. This teaches us that the church’s first instinct in times of uncertainty should not be strategy, but supplication.
The composition of this praying community of believers is also striking. Alongside the apostles are “the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brethren.” Christ’s brethren, who once did not believe in Him (John 7:5), are now gathered in faith. Even Mary, highly honoured yet never exalted above others, is found praying among the saints. The ground at the throne of grace is level; all alike must seek God’s mercy and power.
Prayer is the God-ordained means by which the church prepares to receive what God has promised. Hence, believers must cultivate patient, united, and persevering prayer, especially when God’s purposes are unfolding but not yet fulfilled.
It is in that posture of united prayer that God prepares His people for the work ahead. The church that kneels will have the spiritual empowerment to accomplish the divine mandate for global witnessing.
