What was the 3 PM prayer service Peter and John attended in Acts 3?

1. Summary of the Question

The question, “What was the 3 PM prayer service Peter and John attended in Acts 3?” refers to an event recorded in the New Testament where Peter and John went up to the temple in Jerusalem for prayer. This inquiry seeks to understand the nature and significance of this prayer service in Jewish tradition and early Christian practice, as well as its implications for contemporary faith and worship.

2. Context and Background

Historical Context:
In Acts 3:1 (NASB 2020), it is mentioned that Peter and John went up to the temple at the “ninth hour,” which is 3 PM. This was one of the three times daily that Jews would traditionally gather for prayer at the temple. The practice of praying three times a day — morning, afternoon, and evening — is rooted in Jewish customs that date back to the Old Testament. These times were known as the third hour (9 AM), the sixth hour (12 PM), and the ninth hour (3 PM).

The ninth hour prayer coincided with the time of the afternoon sacrifice, also known as the “Minchah” prayer. This was a significant time for the Jewish people, marking the hour of offering a daily burnt offering as instructed in Exodus 29:39. The temple would be filled with those who came to seek God through prayer and offerings. Thus, Peter and John were participating in a familiar practice that had deep roots in their Jewish faith.

Cultural Context:
For Jews in the first century, prayer was not just a private act but a communal one. The temple was central to worship and daily life. The daily prayer services were an essential part of the temple routine, drawing crowds who would come to pray, offer sacrifices, or hear teachings. After the resurrection of Jesus and the birth of the early Church, many Jewish Christians, like Peter and John, continued to participate in these temple prayers, blending their Jewish heritage with their new faith in Jesus as the Messiah.

Literary Context:
Acts 3 follows the events of Pentecost in Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to preach the gospel boldly. Acts 3 shows the early disciples still actively engaging with their Jewish roots and customs while being led by the Spirit to proclaim Jesus. Peter and John’s participation in the prayer service provides a backdrop for the miraculous healing of the lame man and Peter’s subsequent preaching to the crowd.

3. Biblical Foundation (NASB 2020)

Several key verses provide insight into the significance of the 3 PM prayer service:

• Acts 3:1 (NASB 2020): “Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.”
  This verse sets the scene for what follows — the healing of the lame man. It highlights the importance of the hour of prayer and its role as an opportunity for divine encounter and ministry.
• Psalm 55:17 (NASB 2020): “Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice.”
  This verse shows the Jewish practice of praying three times a day, which became a significant rhythm in Jewish spiritual life and provides context for Peter and John’s actions.
• Daniel 6:10 (NASB 2020): “Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.”
  This verse reinforces the tradition of praying three times a day as a longstanding Jewish practice that continued into the time of the early Church.

4. Addressing Other Perspectives

Other Interpretations:
Some might see Peter and John’s attendance at the temple prayer service as evidence of the early Church’s adherence to Jewish law and customs, suggesting that they had not yet fully separated from Jewish tradition. However, others view it as an intentional choice to engage with their community and demonstrate that the message of Jesus fulfilled rather than abolished the Jewish faith.

A Balanced Perspective:
While the early disciples continued to observe Jewish customs, they did so with a transformed understanding brought about by Jesus’ teachings and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Their actions at the temple were both a continuation of their heritage and an opportunity to witness to the gospel within their community. Peter and John’s presence at the 3 PM prayer service allowed them to meet the lame man and perform a miraculous healing that testified to the power of the risen Christ.

5. Clarifying Misunderstandings

• Misconception: “Peter and John were still bound by Jewish law.”
  Correction: Peter and John, like many early Christians, continued to participate in Jewish customs not out of obligation but out of reverence for their heritage and as a strategic means of evangelizing their fellow Jews.
• Misconception: “The early Church did not value prayer.”
  Correction: The early Church highly valued prayer, both in private and communal settings. Their participation in the temple prayers is evidence of this. Prayer was the bedrock of the Church’s spiritual life, a source of guidance, strength, and connection with God.
• Misconception: “The timing of prayers is not significant in today’s context.”
  Correction: While Christians today are not bound by set hours of prayer, the principle of setting aside regular times for communion with God remains a powerful spiritual discipline.

6. Practical Application and Relevance

• The Importance of Regular Prayer: The practice of set times for prayer can be valuable for Christians today, helping cultivate a rhythm of seeking God throughout the day. While we are not bound to specific hours, creating regular times to connect with God can foster a deeper and more consistent relationship with Him.
• Engaging in Public Spaces for Ministry: Just as Peter and John went to the temple for prayer, believers today can find opportunities in everyday spaces — work, school, community centers — to demonstrate Christ’s love and power through acts of kindness, prayer, and sharing the gospel.
• Honoring Our Spiritual Heritage: Peter and John’s actions remind us of the importance of honoring our spiritual heritage while embracing the new things God is doing. Christians are called to learn from and respect their roots while being open to the Spirit’s leading.

7. Encouragement and Conclusion

The 3 PM prayer service in Acts 3 serves as a reminder of the power of faithful, consistent prayer and the importance of seizing every opportunity to share Christ’s love. As Peter and John demonstrated, God can use ordinary moments, like attending a prayer service, to accomplish extraordinary things. As believers, we are encouraged to approach our daily routines with a sense of expectation, knowing that God is always at work and that He can use our faithfulness to impact others.

Let us, like Peter and John, be people of prayer, continually seeking God’s presence, and ready to act in love and faith wherever He leads us. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NASB 2020). May our lives be marked by prayer, devotion, and a readiness to serve God in every circumstance.