"Join the Upper Room?"
Before He ascended into heaven Jesus commanded his disciples:
Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes…9 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.8 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 7 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 6 the Holy Spirit.”]
In response to these words, 120 of the early disciples “devoted themselves continually to prayer with one mind…” in a 10 Day prayer meeting in the Upper Room. After 10 Days of waiting and continual, united prayer the Holy Spirit was poured out and the church of Jesus Christ was born in Jerusalem on Pentecost!
To the ends of the earth…and back!
Notice that Jesus’ command to the apostles was to “wait in Jerusalem” but that the power of the Holy Spirit would take them as witnesses “to the ends of the earth”.
Over the past 2,000 years, the farthest reaches of the globe have heard the gospel. History is now moving from the ends of the earth back to Jerusalem. And many of us are sensing a call back to the Upper Room. However, “Joining the Global Upper Room” is not just rehashing that Pentecost prayer meeting. This is about coming full circle back to the Upper Room, not as 120 in Jerusalem, but as a great multitude from “every tribe, language, nation, and ethnic group”. Could it be that God is bringing us back to where this whole thing started?
This time, we are not 120 in one city, but a global company of people from “the ends of the earth” who are praying together in cities around the globe.
This time, we are not waiting at “Pentecost” but rather during the “fall feasts” of Trumpets and Atonement, feasts that prophetically foreshadow the Lord’s return.
This time instead of waiting for the Holy Spirit, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and waiting and watching for the Return of Jesus.
Some things haven’t changed—like the first believers, we are waiting, watching, and looking for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Like the 120, we are praying together “continually, and in one accord.” Like them, we are passionately committed to the ascended Messiah. Like them, we sense a call from God to stop everything for the purpose of prayer.
So, when you hear the invitation to “Join the Global Upper Room”, its an invitation back to the place where it all began, the simple place of waiting on God and praying together with other believers. It’s just that the family has grown a bit since that first prayer meeting! And now we’re waiting and watching for the one who the angels said “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will come again in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
Two ways to Join the Global Upper Room this September 6-16!
Register a City-Wide Gathering: We are looking for 10 Days City-Coordinators for 2021. 10 Days coordinators are people who have vision for their city, town, or region to be united in Christ and revived by the power of God. They’re people of faith and action, who decide to step out, set-up, and organize a 10 Days event in their region. These are “Upper Room” style gatherings of united worship, prayer, and repentance.
Register to be a 10 Days City-Coordinator.
Register as an Individual: The Consecration Challenge: While we want to see entire cities entering into “the Global Upper Room” it starts with individuals who will say “YES” to an extraordinary season of prayer and fasting.
Signing up for the Consecration Challenge is committing yourself to doing the “upper room thing” as an individual this September 6-16. We hope you’ll join with us!
Blessings,
Jonathan