‘After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.’ (v9) Acts 1:9–14
After Jesus left, the disciples returned to Jerusalem to await the promised Spirit. They joined in continuous prayer for nine days from the Ascension to Pentecost.
We know it was nine days because the Ascension happened forty days after the Resurrection, and Pentecost was celebrated fifty days after the Passover. The Resurrection was the day after Passover, so – 50 minus 40 minus 1 equals 9.
For nine days, starting the day after Jesus’ Ascension, the fledgeling Church faithfully prayed for power from on high that they might fulfil Jesus’ command to witness to the whole world. They faithfully waited as the angels commanded.
Join us and commit to pray for nine consecutive days, beginning tomorrow, for God’s purposes in the world. Scripture is clear that when God’s people agree together in prayer, His will emerges on the earth. The only prayer Jesus taught, the Lord’s Prayer, instructs us to pray in this way.
As we pray together we will, with one united voice, pray for the same objective. Every day as we say ‘Amen’ at the conclusion of our prayer, it will be both amplified and multiplied many thousands of times around the world.
We also pray that all involved, having dedicated ourselves to prayer over these next nine days, will experience a fresh visitation of the Holy Spirit and become more engaged in worship and service of our God, just like those first disciples.
Related Scripture to Consider: Joel 2:1–5 & 25–32; Acts 1; Matt. 18:18–20.
An Action to Take: Consider getting to know the person and power of the Holy Spirit and enjoy a closer communion with Him.
A Prayer to Make: ‘Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit daily so I can live the gospel for the benefit of all. Amen.’
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