Topical Bible: Intercessory Prayer: Church of Jerusalem

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Intercessory prayer, the act of praying on behalf of others, is a significant aspect of Christian practice, deeply rooted in biblical tradition. The Church of Jerusalem, as the first Christian community, provides a foundational example of intercessory prayer in action, reflecting the early church's commitment to communal support and spiritual solidarity.

Biblical Foundation

The practice of intercessory prayer is evident throughout the New Testament, with the Church of Jerusalem serving as a model for subsequent Christian communities. In Acts 1:14 , we read, "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." This verse highlights the early church's dedication to prayer, emphasizing unity and collective supplication.

The Church of Jerusalem's commitment to intercessory prayer is further illustrated in Acts 12:5 , where Peter is imprisoned: "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him." This passage underscores the power and importance of intercessory prayer, as the community's prayers are answered with Peter's miraculous release.

Role in the Early Church

Intercessory prayer was integral to the life of the Church of Jerusalem, serving as a means of support and encouragement for believers facing persecution and hardship. The communal nature of these prayers fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose, reinforcing the bonds of fellowship among early Christians.

The apostolic leadership in Jerusalem, including figures such as James, the brother of Jesus, and the apostles Peter and John, emphasized the importance of prayer in their teachings and practices. In James 5:16 , the exhortation to "confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed" reflects the communal and intercessory nature of prayer within the church.

Impact and Legacy

The intercessory prayers of the Church of Jerusalem had a profound impact on the early Christian community, providing spiritual strength and divine intervention in times of need. The miraculous events that followed these prayers, such as Peter's release from prison, served to strengthen the faith of believers and demonstrate the power of collective supplication.

The legacy of intercessory prayer from the Church of Jerusalem continues to influence Christian practice today. It serves as a reminder of the importance of praying for others, fostering a spirit of compassion and empathy within the body of Christ. The early church's example encourages believers to remain steadfast in prayer, trusting in God's ability to work through their petitions for the benefit of others.

Conclusion

The Church of Jerusalem's dedication to intercessory prayer set a precedent for future generations of Christians, highlighting the power of prayer to effect change and provide support within the community of faith. Through their example, believers are reminded of the importance of standing in the gap for others, lifting up their needs and concerns to God in prayer.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 12:5
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church to God for him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Faith of Sinners in Prayer
... So intercessory prayer predominated in those early days of the ... that time displayed
their need of prayer, even by the prayers of some one else, Church people of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/xi faith of sinners in.htm

Philip, the Evangelist
... the seven chosen by the early Church at Jerusalem ... and Conqueror whom the Jews at
Jerusalem had been ... prayed for them in His great intercessory prayer: "As Thou ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/philip the evangelist.htm

Introductory Notice to the Early Liturgies.
... James, the Liturgy of the Church of Jerusalem. ... 5. The Oblation; 6. Prayer of
Consecration; 7. Prayers for the Church on Earth ... The great Intercessory Prayer. XI. ...
/.../various/early liturgies/introductory notice to the early.htm

Paul and his Requests for Prayer
... Intercessory prayer, or prayer for others, occupied a high place ... in the mighty
wrestlings of prayer, how marvelous ... would have been the history of God's Church! ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xv paul and his requests.htm

Paul and his Praying (Continued)
... and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem, for they ... To the Church at Rome he plainly
and specifically ... As he urged intercessory prayer on others, so he interceded ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xiv paul and his praying.htm

The Journey through Perea to Jerusalem
... Einleitung id NT.235) has said, the early church was not ... Discourse concerning the
destruction of Jerusalem and the end of ... The intercessory prayer"John 17:1-26 ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/v the journey through perea.htm

The Setting
... is as follows: lections, sermon, intercessory prayers, kiss of ... a text of the
consecration prayer in Hippolytus ... The Church, too, was cautious about ecstasies in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/the setting.htm

The Secret Burden
... house of David, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem" to pray ... As soon as the church bells
stop ringing on ... the very same thing holds true of all intercessory prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxii the secret burden.htm

One of Paul's Prayers
... is inexhaustible instruction in our Lord's Intercessory Prayer; but we ... or contract
it into a Church catechism. ... You never heard before this prayer, nor have you ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xii one of pauls prayers.htm

The First Cry from the Cross
... the text as instructive to the church's work; thirdly ... hold his peace, and for
Jerusalem's sake, he ... Saviour might have paused from intercessory prayer, it was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 15 1869/the first cry from the.htm