Acts 13: The Altar of the Church

Scripture

Acts 13:2–3

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Scripture Reflection

In the early church, the primal form of leadership was not budget meetings, strategic planning sessions, or organizational charts — it was seeking the Lord. Acts 13 shows us leaders who devoted themselves to worshiping the Lord and fasting. Out of that environment of ministering to the Lord came divine strategy, clear direction, and apostolic commissioning.

Their posture was one of high mystery — making space to listen, adore, and fast — and high strategy, faithfully executing the Spirit’s instructions. As Choung and Pfeiffer put it in Longing for Revival, this is high mystery, high strategy leadership. The church does not invent the mission; it receives the mission through prayer, worship, and fasting — and then acts with courage and obedience to fulfill it.

In an age that prizes efficiency, planning, and human ingenuity, God is inviting His Church to return to the altar of worship and fasting, to recover a leadership culture that ministers first to Him, and then moves at His command. Only then can we carry out heaven-born strategies that truly transform the world.

Praying it UP / IN / OUT

UP: Worship Jesus as the Lord of the harvest, worthy of all devotion, praise, and adoration. Thank Him for leading His Church by the Spirit.

IN: Pray for your own leaders and your own heart — that you would be shaped by a posture of worship, fasting, and humble listening before action.

OUT: Intercede for churches and leaders across New England to recover a high mystery, high strategy leadership culture — seeking God first, then moving with His clear guidance and power.

Closing Prayer

Lord of the Church,

We praise You for speaking, for leading, for giving divine strategy to those who wait on You. You are worthy of our worship and worthy of our surrender.

Teach us, like the church in Antioch, to place worship and fasting at the center of our leadership and ministry. Forgive us for relying on our own ideas and strategies apart from You.

Restore Your Church, Lord, to be a people who minister first to You, and then carry out Your mission with courage and faithfulness.

Until Your purposes are fully accomplished, keep us listening, worshiping, fasting, and obedient to your Spirit.

Amen.