Praying for Boldness

September 6, 2015 Background Scripture: Acts 4:1 – 31 Lesson Passage: Acts 4:23 – 31 The small group huddled together had just heard the testimony of their leaders who were recently released from being imprisoned overnight. Their leaders had made it through the ordeal physically safe but under threats from the Jewish civil authority. The group began to pray in unison. In such an atmosphere, there was so much to pray for. In thanksgiving, they could certainly give thanks unto God for delivering their leaders safe and sound back to the group. They could also give thanks that others of their group were not included in this latest of persecutions. On the other hand, there were many petitions to be presented to Heaven for that day and the immediate future. At the top of the list one would expect petitions to God for individual safety, food, shelter, clothing, and just general peace of mind during those troubling days. After all, they had made decisions to be Christ followers so it doesn’t seem to be too much of an imposition to ask that God keep them safe from personal injury or loss of life’s necessities or niceties. Undoubtedly, prayers prayed today under similar circumstances would reflect this point of view. However, their prayers did not reflect any of this. This group, under the constant threat of persecution—both injury and loss of life, prayed for something that would be almost foreign today. They asked God for boldness to proclaim His word in the face of persecution. This is one of the most God-centric and unselfish prayers to be found in the book of Acts. Lord, give me the courage to speak for you even if I suffer as a result of it. There was no need to check the mailbox for an unexpected windfall as a “surprise” answer to their prayers. In their hour of despair, if they found the courage and strength to declare God’s word and proclaim His gift of Jesus as a Savior for the world, then they would be assured that their prayers had been heard and their petition granted. This was more than “Let your will be done on earth.” They were requesting God to do His will through them knowing that it would likely bring additional persecution to them. They were asking God to allow them to be conformed to the image of His son, Jesus, so their lives would be a reflection of Jesus. They requested that this reflection of Jesus be manifested for the world to see in the form of signs and miracles granted in the name of Jesus. The sick would be healed in the name of Jesus. They were not requesting the opportunity to build their reputation but the continuation of Jesus’ reputation on earth through them. Is there any wonder why God chose to answer their prayers the way He did? The place where they were assembled shook when they had prayed and the Holy Ghost overshadowed and filled them and they spoke the word of God with boldness. God answered their prayers immediately! There was no “delayed but not denied” aspect to it. Their prayers were sincerely for God’s will to be done and He did it. They prayed for boldness to be God’s witnesses and God granted their petition. Robert C. Hudson August 26, 2015