And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. Acts 20:36
A small crowd gathered on the dock as a young missionary couple prepared to board the ship that would take them to their mission field. There were hugs and handshakes all around, with plenty of tears. The brave young couple did their best to maintain smiles, and the young man managed to say a few words of farewell to the folks they were leaving. As the moment for the missionaries to walk up the gangplank neared, an awkward silence fell on the group, until a big man raised his arm for attention, and said, ‘Let’s pray’. There on the dock, the entire group fell on their knees as the big man raised his voice in a petition to Heaven. It was a short and simple prayer for protection and guidance for the missionary couple, for blessing on their labours, and for comfort for those they were leaving behind. While the prayer was surely heard by the Lord, it also brought great comfort to all those who were gathered on the dock. The awkward and sorrowful atmosphere lifted and was replaced by comfort and cheerful resolve. Just as the Ephesian elders must have felt as they knelt with Paul on the Miletus dock so long ago.
Paul had already delivered his farewell address, and was ready to leave. But before leaving, he dropped to his knees and joined them all in prayer. We are not told the content of that prayer. But we do know that it was a joint prayer; our text does not say that Paul prayed for them but that he prayed with them. Very likely some of the others there also prayed – maybe they all did. These godly men all knew the comfort of committing themselves and the apostle to the Lord, a comfort that we have experienced on many occasions as we have prayed together as an Assembly and as a group of believers.
It was also a humble prayer. Paul did not stand with his arms outstretched above the group. No, the entire group bowed and knelt, in total submission to the will of God and in reverence toward the One to whom they were speaking. Reverence and respect in our prayers, public or otherwise, is important as we consider the greatness of the God into whose presence we come. Not only the attitude of our bowed frames but also the reverence of our language is important. That is why many of us prefer to use the dignified language of the Old English pronouns, which enable us to address God in a manner reserved for Him alone.
No doubt that parting prayer remained in the minds of the Ephesian elders long after Paul had departed, just as the timely, appropriately worded closing prayer at the conclusion of an Assembly meeting often sets the tone as the Christians prepare to depart. May we know the comfort, support, and encouragement of such prayers among us today. -Jim MacIntosh