• The church was born as the followers of Jesus prayerfully waited for the power He promised them (1:12-14; 2:1-4);
• When persecution threatened to stamp out the infant church, believers went to prayer, then spoke God's Word with boldness (4:23-31);
• The growing church appointed additional leaders so the apostles could focus on prayer and preaching (6:1-4)
• In response to Peter's prayer, Tabitha was restored to life (9:36-43);
• The respective prayers of Cornelius and Peter resulted in the gospel being preached to Gentiles for the first time (10:1-48);
• Constant prayer by the church resulted in Peter being miraculously delivered from jail and possible execution (12:5-17);
• Missionaries were sent out and elders appointed with prayer and fasting (13:1-3; 14:21-23);
• Paul and Silas were miraculously delivered from jail and the jailer and his family were converted , as a result of prayer. (16:16-34)

The New Testament epistles, written to those first Christians and to us, persistently instruct believers to pray. Consider these verses:

• [Continue] steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12);
• Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18);
• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6);
• Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2);
• Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

While prayer was a way of life for the early church, many Christians today don't employ this powerful and effective weapon often enough. We are far quicker to protest than to pray. We are more ready to boycott that to believe that God can be strong on our own behalf. It is essential that we understand how effective prayer can be in facing everyday problems, as well as the tragic and seemingly hopeless situations in our world.