43 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (three o’clock in the afternoon), (Acts 3:1)

Having fixed times of prayer will make you a disciplined prayer warrior

Peter prayed on the rooftop at noon. (Acts 10:9)

Daniel prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10)

Throughout scripture we see scheduled prayer, several times each day.

The Hour of Prayer:

The three Jewish hours of prayer were specifically the third hour, the sixth hour and the ninth hour of the day, or 9:00 am, 12pm(Noon) and 3:00 pm respectively.

In the Old Testament times, these hours of prayer were also known as the hours of ‘offering or sacrifice’. (Daniel 9:21, II Kings 16:15). It is recorded that the prophet Daniel prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10). 9am was when the Temple gates opened. (Acts 2:15)

It is very significant to note that the Jewish hours of prayer correspond to the crucifixion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. According to Mark 15:25, Jesus went to the cross at the third hour and died died at 3pm.

Also the outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place at around 9am in the morning on the day of Pentecost.

[When] a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple [which is] called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple. (Acts 3:2)

It's interesting to note that the lame man asked for money rather than healing of his lame legs. This tells us that many times, we can ask the Lord for something else other than our needs.

This is what James meant in James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:2-8)

It is very interesting to note that the Holy Spirit worked a miracle at the hour of prayer. Prayer is the key to miracles

Notice the phrase, “expecting to receive something from them”

The principal key to receive is to expect

When you attend any service, when you pray always expect to receive something from the Lord.

The lame man entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

He entered the temple healed and praising God

Sickness does not bring glory to God but health and healing always does.

And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

In ancient times, a name did not just identify or distinguish a person, it expressed the very nature of that person. Hence the power and authority of that person was available when the name of the person was mentioned.

whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:21)

God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

The mouth of the prophet is an important instrument

Chapter 3