Bold Prayers Wanted
Our prayer lives speak volumes about the condition of our spiritual lives. In the book of Acts we read about the commitment of the first Christians to prayer (i.e. Acts 1:14, 2:42), but we don’t always get the details of what that looked like. However, Acts 4:23-31 gives us an opportunity to listen in and actually hear these early Christians praying.
The circumstance surrounding their prayer is that of persecution. Peter and John had been arrested for preaching Jesus and they had been commanded to cease and desist. Peter and John reported this back to the church. Facing the threat of arrest or worse for speaking about Jesus, these Christians prayed for something remarkable. They prayed specifically for boldness and courage to continue standing for Christ. Rather than praying for safety or relief from the control of the authorities, they prayed for the very thing that got them into trouble in the first place. It was boldly standing up and speaking the Gospel that got them into trouble. Rather than backing down, they prayed for God to continue to work and give them boldness: “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak your word with all confidence” (Acts 4:29).
Instead of focusing on themselves and their own comfort, their prayer focused on the mission that God had given them. They understood two truths. First, they believed that Jesus is Lord of all creation (Acts 4:24). Second, they believed that God was working His plan of salvation in the world and that even the opposition they were facing would be used for God’s purposes (Acts 4:26-28). Their dependence on God is a powerful reminder for us of how regularly we need God’s help.
Acts 4:29 shows us that we have a daily need to be replenished in our boldness. The courage of the past isn’t enough for the challenges of today. New days require fresh courage. Acts 4:29 challenges us to make a daily habit of praying for boldness. When the first Christians prayed in this way God showed up in remarkable ways (Acts 4:31). God hasn’t changed. If we would begin to pray Acts 4:29 prayers, I believe we will begin to see Acts 4:31 answers.