As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 13:2-3

The church in Antioch was becoming the center of action for the early Church. Two things stand out to me about what made that church a great church.

First, they were a church of prayer. When Jesus cleansed the temple of the moneychangers, He said “My house shall be a house of prayer.” The Church, besides being a place of preaching, worship, sacraments, and yes—fellowship, is to be a house of prayer. If we want our church to be a place God is at work in and through, we must become a house of prayer. I pray that you want to see God at work in our church. If you do, are you praying as an individual? As a family? Are you committed to joining in prayer at church? Let us join those who pray in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:15 am.

Second, they were an evangelistic and missions-minded church. When evangelism stops or grows cold, the Church begins to die. Dear saints, are you praying for and sharing Christ with loved ones? Are you engaged in evangelistic opportunities with the church? Are you praying for our missionaries? Churches that reach out, grow. Those that do not, implode.

Dear God, stir us up in the area of prayer, and evangelism & missions.