“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” (Acts 1:14)
Jesus had told his disciples to wait until the Holy Spirit was poured out. And they did, but they did not just sit down and wait what would happen. They “were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:14).
This connection between prayer and the coming of the Holy Spirit is found in various places in the New Testament, not just before Pentecost (when the Spirit was poured out for the first time). For example, we read in Acts 4:31 that “when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness”. And when the Gospel was first preached in the region of Samaria, “they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit […] and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14-17).
God’s Spirit is sent by the Father and the Son. We can’t control that. But we can pray! Prayer is a powerful ‘weapon’ for believers. Jesus assures us that “the heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)
Are you devoted to prayer?