Acts 1:12-14 ESV

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

ONE ACCORD IN PRAYER

The Mount of Olives is actually a ridge with three summits, stretching two miles north to south, east of Jerusalem. Jesus took the disciples "as far as Bethany" (Luke 24:50), told them to expect the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5), and rose into the clouds (Acts 1:9). And Bethany is on the far, east side, about a mile and a half from Jerusalem. In the bible, a Sabbath day's journey is less than a mile, so that the exact travel of the disciples was unclear.

The disciples stood stunned at the sudden departure of their teacher and friend. Jesus was no more with them physically but they have each other. They will gather in an upper room to pray, about 120 people in all (Acts 1:13–15). As they waited for the promised Holy Spirit, their first task was to pray, wait and seek God's guidance.

Prayer should transcend any barriers. The disciples, Mary the mother of Jesus, Jesus’ brothers, men and women of diverse educational and economic backgrounds including children had gathered in one accord in prayer. Let’s take notice that the phrase "one accord”, translated as "one mind" in the NASB. It denotes harmony or several individuals, collectively moving forward gracefully. It is one of the defining characteristics that God designs for the church, for it is founded in "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3). The church is one - one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father (Eph 4:4–6). Everyone should strive to function with "all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love" (Eph 4:2).

Could the apostles, the devout women, Jesus' brothers, and the other disciples of the 120 sit in unity unless God is at their center? Their waiting lasted about nine days between Jesus' ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. They had spent this time in the upper room, praying, and in the temple, worshiping and blessing God (Luke 24:52–53). This worshiping and seeking God does make all believers as united people, does it not?

Definitely, prayer was first and foremost of the early church. Should not prayer be the number one priority that we should pursue in our private and collective lives? Prayer is simple as children talking with their dad. When a child is talking to his father, is there a wrong grammar? No. Only a wrong heart.

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