We continue in the book of Acts starting in 1:12 and following. After witnessing Jesus lifted into heaven, the disciples returned to Jerusalem and went to the upper room where they were staying. The 11 disciples, the women, Jesus’ mother, and His brothers all waited in prayer there in the upper room for what God had promised:

“These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer…” (Acts 1:14).

This upper room was constantly filled with spiritual activity; people were always coming and going. Many believe that this was the place where prayer was going on continuously — 24/7.

In fact, one of the most noticeable things about the early church was prayer. The activity of prayer was clearly visible, and it was constant. This is something the disciples learned directly from Jesus, and it was clear they valued prayer in the same way. In fact, this is how they waited to “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes” (Acts 1:8). This is how they were preparing themselves for what God had promised, through a constant activity of prayer.

Prayer not only united them with “one mind” but also powerfully equipped them for the world-changing events to come. The upper room became the launching pad for the church’s mission. The disciples emerged from the upper room empowered to share Christ with great boldness and authority. Incredible and exciting things happened after the Holy Spirit came upon them. This small group of Christ follower’s with no building, no money, no resources, “no nothing” (as some southern Americans would say) turned the whole world up on its head. The continual practice of prayer was THE reason for extraordinary growth and rapid expansion of the church at that time.

Terry Teykl, in his book “Making Room to Pray,” articulated this beautifully:

When God gives us a great task, He expects us to seek Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength before we endeavor to do that task, because we must realize completely that His Spirit, not our might or power, will accomplish the work.

We also read this in Zechariah 4:6, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

“Devote yourselves to prayer” was not only the theme of our last season of prayer and fasting but a very clear call to all of God’s people. Many of you have responded to this call, and we as a church family have taken additional steps to make this priority.

Starting on February 5th, we will be launching weekly prayer groups called The Upper Room. It’s not a physical meeting room like the one in Jerusalem but a spiritual one that will span several cities and communities. It’s an opportunity for us as a church to meet weekly either on Wednesday or Saturday in people’s homes and other venues for the purpose of prayer.

It will be the place where we as God’s people all with one mind continually devote ourselves to prayer as we eagerly wait on God’s perfect purpose and timing.

Please pray that God uses this to build a spiritual house of prayer here at The Nations. Please pray that the Spirit of the upper room in Jerusalem would be fully embodied here in us. Please pray for our prayer coordinators tasked with leading and coordinating these prayer groups. Above all, please fast and pray with us that God energizes us, sustains us, and equips us to pray as He has called us.

We will officially announce the sign-ups for these Upper Room Prayer Groups this coming Sunday, January 19th.

However, if you are interested to either host, facilitate, or join a prayer group please contact pray@younghop1.sg-host.com.

You can also fill out the online form at https://thenations.asia/upper-room/

And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ (Matthew 21:13)