In the Upper Room: To Be of "One Mind"

Acts 1 speaks of the “upper room.”  In the Acts 1 scene, this was the place where the disciples, “the women,” and Jesus’ family went to pray after Jesus’ death, resurrection, 40 days of post-resurrection ministry, and ascension. Luke doesn’t include a lot of details about what, exactly, happened or was said there. Yet there are many things we do learn and can glean from what he does describe.

1. There were several people there.
2. All of the people were disciples of Jesus.
3. Women were there, and not just Jesus’ mother.
4. They prayed constantly.
5. They were “of one mind.” 

What does it mean to be “of one mind”? And how does that affect corporate prayer?

Does it merely mean that you are agreeing to pray about the same thing? Does it mean that you are thoughts are singularly focused, i.e. you are dedicating all of your attention on the one thing that you all agree is of utmost importance? For the disciples, the women, and Jesus’ family, that might have been Jesus’ death and resurrection. That might have been Jesus’ last words to them before he ascended. That might have been the weight of the call on their lives, i.e. that they are now charged with continuing Jesus’ work. That might have been their instruction to wait for the Holy Spirit to empower them. That might have been the need to replace Judas. It might have been all of the above…or something else.

Some translations say that they were “on one accord”; others say “of one mind.” Both indicate the same theme: oneness. And not just solidarity but, moreover, solidarity in community (they stayed together) and prayer (constant or diligent).

What is this “oneness” that Jesus’ followers experienced? How can we, as community of believers who do not live together, achieve this? And what would it do to the effectiveness of our prayers? 

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