Acts 10:9 (NIV)
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
Uncluttered space of my small balcony lured me into creating my new quiet sacred sanctuary during this season. This space served as our little drying area for many years. My prayer closet changed locations in my house according to my season of motherhood and needs. Being connected with the openness of the vast blue sky and greenery of the trees as I stand in the balcony and pray every morning helps me to declare the glory of God (Psalm 19). My spirit called to remembrance of Daniel who prayed three times a day on his rooftop. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10)
Armed with uncompromising faith and intense zeal, the early Christians advanced the gospel with such boldness and unfailing strength. We cannot move into the actions of the Book of Acts without wondering how these apostles and disciples of Christ created such impact in their world then which caused mega positive repercussions to us now. What is the legacy they have passed on? How do we continue this legacy? They were willing to pay for the cost of discipleship and able to endure the struggles and opposition because they knew the secret of staying alive in the spirit. They tuned in to God’s channel not just every day, but always. Fully embracing the call to pray and to be taught by God every moment was their pronounced discipline.
In the long journey, Peter did not plunge into a restful sleep in between the stops, he headed up to the secluded rooftop – to pray. It was customary for them to observe the evening, morning and noon prayer. Rooftop was a common feature of their houses where they could access via the steps outside the house. It was an easy and quiet outlet to be alone. Throughout scriptures, there is a persistent call to be yielded to disciplined unceasing prayer. Prayer seemed so natural for them. To set aside the time and to put in the good effort to come before God. Jewish time and calendar spell out various significance to time, days and months (we shall not discuss in details here).
In the active movement throughout the Book of Acts, I cannot bypass this verse that seems to give a momentary pause to great signs and wonders. Chides the Spirit of the Lord unto me, “Don’t forget the evening sacrifice, and the noon too.”
Psalms 55:17 – Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Psalm 141:2 – May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
Main meals are served three times a day. We hardly forget to eat albeit we gobbled fast for some meals in our rush hours. But we still remember. Following that pattern, we could easily slot in our spiritual nourishment three times a day as our forefathers did. Surely it will fuel our faith and expand our energy for the long haul. This is how the disciples of old championed the cause with unwavering faith and energy. The secret lies in our “rooftop” encounters. Evening, morning and noon.
Where is your rooftop?
When do you hide there?
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 25 May 2020.