Recently I’ve been burdened to pray for revival in the church, and not just in my local church but really for the church worldwide. I caught a vision of a united, on-fire-for-the-Lord church, and I desperately long to see revival begin.

A few weeks ago, I realized I wasn’t completely sure what exactly to pray for the church. What characteristics mark a truly united and on-fire-for-the-Lord kind of church?

I decided to study into this topic. I studied the last half of Acts 2, which describes the early church. I began my study intending to find characteristics to pray for my church locally and the church worldwide. Not only did I find these characteristics for the church, I also learned some amazing truths about my role in the church.  I’d like to share with you what I learned.

Acts 2:40-47  And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”  So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.  They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.  And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;  and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.  Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

After reading this passage, I felt convicted. I wanted to pray for these characteristics in my church, but I realized I needed to also be praying for these characteristics in myself. If I long for revival, I must begin with myself, being an on-fire-for-the-Lord kind of Christian, and working towards being a united member of the Body of Christ.

So, I have to ask myself this question: am I allowing the Holy Spirit to teach me how to be a vibrant member of the body of Christ, or am I pushing back out of fear? The idea of being a vibrant member of the church sounds awesome, but it takes work, commitment, and selflessness. It takes the work of God in my heart. Am I willing to let Him do that work, even though it will be tough? I encourage you to ask yourself the same question and to take it seriously.

Alright, here’s what I learned about a united, on fire church:

First of all, Christ should be the head of the church.

Colossians 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Christ is what unites the body. A body is dead without a head – the church is dead without Christ being in control. When He is first place, everything else falls into place.

Here’s the list of attributes of the early church from Acts 2:40-47:
1: They were devoted to prayer, the apostle’s teaching, and fellowship. (verse 42)
2: They were devoted to sharing the good news. (verse 40)
3: They had all things in common and shared with those in need. (verses 44 and 45)
4: They had one mind. (verse 46)
5: they took their meals together with glad and sincere hearts. (verse 46)
6: they praised God together. (verse 47)
7: they had favor with all the people, and the number of believers grew daily. (verse 47)

What really struck me from this study was that first, we are united because Christ is the head of the church. While it’s nice to have things in common with our brothers and sisters in Christ like a love for music or sports, those things should never be what unites us. The only thing that matters is that Christ is the Lord of our lives, and that is the best thing to unite a church!

Secondly, in studying the Acts 2 church I noticed a theme of selflessness. They were putting the needs of their fellow believers first. They were praying, learning, conversing, and praising God together. Everyone was others-focused. Am I willing to meet the needs of my fellow believers? To truly grow with my brothers and sisters in Christ? To pray with them, learn with them, share with them, have edifying conversations with them, praise God with them, and mutually build one another up in Christ?

And really, these two qualities combined is just living out the two great commandments that Jesus gives in Matthew 22:

Matthew 22:37-39 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

If you’ve been feeling burdened to pray for your church, I encourage you to pray for an Acts 2 church – a church united in Christ that is selfless. A church that lives out the two great commandments. I think the reason the early church grew daily was because they were truly living out the two great commandments, and just like the early church did, so should we.

My prayer is that the church worldwide would be an Acts 2 church, but it starts with me. I must live out the Acts 2 church in my own life. I challenge you to join me. Let’s be world-changers for the glory of Christ!

With love,

Kelsey