“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

The disciples could have scattered in a dozen directions after Christ ascended to heaven. Yet, as an act of obedience, they listened to Jesus’ final instructions to return to Jerusalem until they were “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49b). Huddled in that upper room, waiting for the Holy Spirit’s entrance, they were consumed with an important activity. What kept these men enthralled at a time like this?

Rather than mulling over the incredible events that had unfolded between the crucifixion and the Lord’s ascension or figuring out what would occur next, they were knee-­deep in prayer. After listing each of the eleven disciples’ names, Acts 1:14 tells us, “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer….”

This was probably a perfect time to panic, but they chose instead to use their time perfectly. A new disciple had to be selected to replace Judas, and the apostles knew prayer was the key component for such a critical decision.

Christ had modeled this precisely. From Luke we learn, “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles” (Luke 6:12-­‐13). Before Jesus had made the pivotal selection of the twelve, he had devoted himself to prayer. The apostles followed suit.

As disciples of the Lord Jesus, when we face decisions in the major or minor categories, shouldn’t we imitate Christ, too?