They all came together regularly to pray. The women joined them too. So did Jesus’ mother Mary and his brothers.

Then the believers prayed. They said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen.

The Believers Share Their Lives Together

The believers studied what the apostles taught. They shared their lives together. They ate and prayed together.

Peter Heals a Beggar Who Can’t Walk

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple. It was three o’clock in the afternoon. It was the time for prayer.

The Believers Pray

Peter and John were allowed to leave. They went back to their own people. They reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

The believers heard this. Then they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Lord and King,” they said, “you made the heavens, the earth and the sea. You made everything in them.

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They were bold when they spoke God’s word.

Then we can give our attention to prayer and to teaching God’s word.”

The group brought them to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on them.

While the members of the Sanhedrin were throwing stones at Stephen, he prayed. “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” he said.

When they arrived there, they prayed for the new believers. They prayed that they would receive the Holy Spirit.

Turn away from this evil sin of yours. Pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.

Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me. Pray that nothing you have said will happen to me.”

The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. Ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying.

Peter sent them all out of the room. Then he got down on his knees and prayed. He turned toward the dead woman. He said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up.

Cornelius and all his family were faithful and worshiped God. He gave freely to people who were in need. He prayed to God regularly.

Cornelius was afraid. He stared at the angel. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to poor people are like an offering to God. So he has remembered you.

Peter Has a Vision

It was about noon the next day. The men were on their journey and were approaching the city. Peter went up on the roof to pray.

Cornelius answered, “Three days ago at this very hour I was in my house praying. It was three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood in front of me.

He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer. He has remembered your gifts to poor people.

“I was in the city of Joppa praying,” he said. “There I had a vision. I saw something that looked like a large sheet. It was being let down from heaven by its four corners. It came down to where I was.

So Peter was kept in prison. But the church prayed hard to God for him.

When Peter understood what had happened, he went to Mary’s house. Mary was the mother of John Mark. Many people had gathered in her home. They were praying there.

The prophets and teachers fasted and prayed. They placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul. Then they sent them off.

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church. The elders had trusted in the Lord. Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted. They placed the elders in the Lord’s care.