Devoted to the Prayers

Why Prayer Still Matters for the Church Today

If you’re anything like me, you’re tired of being cooped up in the house. I’m ready for the ice to melt so we can get back into our normal routine—because I miss y’all. There’s something we miss when we’re not able to be together.

That’s something we’ve been talking about as we walk through the Four Priorities of the Early Church from Acts 2:42. Even when we’re scattered in our own homes, we are still Hillcrest Baptist Church. We are just as much the church when we’re apart as when we’re gathered in the sanctuary.

We experience fellowship with one another in the way we believe, belong, bear responsibility, and benefit from one another. And one of the ways the early church lived that out was through prayer.

Acts 2:42 tells us that the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This time, we’re focusing on the prayers.

What Is Prayer?

At its most basic level, prayer is asking God to come through on His promises.

Prayer isn’t about impressing God with our words. It’s not about having everything figured out. It’s about trusting that God hears us, that He is faithful, and that He keeps His promises.

Prayer shows up all over the book of Acts because the early church understood something we often forget: the power of the gospel is unleashed through prayer. Prayer changes things. That’s why they devoted themselves to it.

The main idea is simple:
Devote yourself to fervent, faith-filled prayer.

So what does that look like in everyday life? Here are four practical ways we can do that.

1. Pray in Private

Jesus often got alone to pray. If Jesus needed time alone with the Father, we certainly do.

Private prayer shapes us. It’s where we learn to slow down, to be quiet, and to listen. Silence and solitude aren’t easy, but they are good for our souls.

This is also where tools like prayer cards can help. Writing down prayer requests helps us stay focused and faithful. We are forgetful people, and prayer cards help us remember who and what we’re praying for.

Jesus also taught us how to pray. Private prayer is where we grow in that discipline—not perfectly, but faithfully.

2. Pray in Public

Most of us know what it’s like to be the designated pray-er. You’re in a group, someone says, “Can you pray for us?” and suddenly all eyes are on you.

Public prayer can feel intimidating, but it matters. Corporate prayer reminds us that prayer isn’t just personal—it’s communal. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father,” not “My Father.”

Praying with others shapes the church. It unites us. It reminds us that we are not alone. Whether it’s praying in a worship service, in a small group, or with a friend, public prayer is one way we devote ourselves to the prayers together.

3. Pray in an Instant

We’ve all said it: “I’ll be praying for you.” And sometimes we mean it—and sometimes we forget.

When someone shares a need, that’s often the best moment to pray. Right then. In the moment.

We are called to pray for others, and since we’re forgetful people, the best way to make sure we do is to pray immediately. It doesn’t have to be long or polished. It just has to be sincere.

Praying in the moment keeps prayer from becoming just good intentions.

4. Pray with Persistence

The early church didn’t pray once and move on. They kept praying.

Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing. Jesus even told a story to show us the importance of persistent prayer—to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.

Persistent prayer doesn’t mean God didn’t hear us the first time. It means we trust Him enough to keep coming back. We keep praying because prayer changes things—not always on our timeline, but always according to God’s will.

Why This Matters

The early church devoted themselves to the prayers because they understood something vital: the gospel moves forward through prayer.

Prayer accesses the power of the gospel. We pray for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for the lost. We pray because God works through the prayers of His people.

If we want to be a healthy church, we can’t treat prayer as an afterthought. We devote ourselves to it—privately, publicly, instantly, and persistently.

That’s how the early church lived. And by God’s grace, that’s how we live as Hillcrest Baptist Church today.

You can view this message in its entirety on our YouTube page.