Part 5: Shaken by Prayer

Having been threatened by the authorities for speaking (and healing) in Jesus’ name, yet released on account of public pressure, the apostles seek out their Christian brothers and sisters.

“When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them” (Acts 4:23).

Going back to Acts 2 and the birthday of the Church, we see Christians devoted to the Word of God, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper/Lord’s Day, and prayer (2:42). Chapter 4 shows us why such devotion is essential; immediately upon their release, the apostles sought the fellowship of the Church. When tough times happen, when we need encouragement, when we need to rejoice over what the Lord has done, we are to get with or be there for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

And what then did they do once they were together? “And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord” (Acts 4:24). They prayed! Another one of those four things to which the Church was dedicated is prevalent in this entire event. It starts with Peter and John going to the temple to pray in 3:1, and it ends with the momentous prayer service of 4:24-31. You want your church to be shaken, ask if your church family is always starting and ending with prayer (and I’m not talking about the opening and closing prayers of church services). Ask if your church family is devoted to the things to which the Church should be devoted (Acts 2:42). And ask if your prayers are like the prayer of Acts 4.

²⁴ “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, ²⁵who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘'WHY DID THE NATIONS RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS? ²⁶THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST'” (Acts 4:24-26).

They began by quoting Scripture (Exodus 20:11 & Psalm 146:6), giving praise and glory to God. The model prayer by Jesus started with similar adoration: “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9). Then they quote more Scripture with Psalm 2:1-2, since it was applicable to their situation. When you pray and ask God about something, do you have a verse of Scripture you can put your finger on and say, “Lord, Your Word shows me that You have done this and said You would do this for those who trust in You. If it be Your will, would you please, by the power of Jesus, the One powerful enough to conquer death, do this now for me?” Might that change what we pray for and how we pray about it? Look now at how they take the Scriptures and the circumstances in which they find themselves, and ask for God’s help.

“²⁹And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your Word with great boldness, ³⁰while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).

They don’t ask God to take away the threats!!!!

Rather, they ask Him to give them strength and courage to keep proclaiming the Word so that He might do amazing things through them in order to bring people to Jesus! That’s what they pray for! Does that sound like the prayers in your life, your family, your church?

The word for “boldness” or “confidence” (depending on your translation) is the Greek word parrésia. The HELPS Greek Word-studies defines it as, “confidence (bold resolve), leaving a witness that something deserves to be remembered.”[1] When we speak with people about Jesus or do something for people in Jesus’ name, we are to do so in a way that will cause people to never forget the One in whose name we spoke or acted. A food bank or clothing house or any other service is great IF it is done in Jesus’ name – if the people hear Jesus’ name and the Good News of Jesus when being served by His people. Otherwise, what good are we doing? The Gospel is far more important than any need of this life (Matthew 6:19-21, Acts 21:13). Are we living lives that are causing people to think about Jesus?

Are we even praying for that? If we were, EVERY DAY, what then do you think might happen in your life, your family, your church? I can tell you what would happen!

“And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the Word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

[1] https://biblehub.com/greek/3954.htm

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June 2026 Printed Newsletter

June 1, 2026

Sharp Institute for Biblical Worldview Studies

By Matt Miles • June 1, 2026

One of the most important ministry focuses CTF has is the Sharp Institute for Biblical Worldview Studies (SIBWS). Dr. Sharp began this division of our ministry in 2005 because of a specific call from the Lord. As Doc would share often, the Lord challenged him. He saw that even with all of the programming and books sold in the church programs that we did year after year, and as impactful and Kingdom-building as that was, when we left there was most often no one in the local body to continue our message and teaching on Genesis 1-12 and its importance to the Gospel. The Lord directed Doc to multiply the teaching and mission of CTF in the local body. So Doc heard the call and accepted the challenge, as he always did from the Lord, and IBWS was born. Doc called a few people to join him for study that first meeting of the IBWS at a dude ranch in north Texas. I was one of those first invited to come and study, as many of you know from my personal testimony shared over the years. It was Providence that directed me to this Cadre study group and laid the foundation for me to be in the position I am today. As the four of us in that first group studied, the Lord connected, emphasized, and exhorted the importance of Genesis in our worldviews. When I left that first meeting, I was full and ready to teach and preach what the Lord had just challenged and changed in my worldview. Now, 21 years later, Doc’s original calling and direction for the IBWS continues. Over the course of these years, 146 members have completed the training. Each one has been challenged to use what they have learned wherever the Lord places them in ministry. For some it is from the pulpit, others are in vocational student ministry, and some have been called to primarily impact their own families with worldview training. We send them off with all of our outlines and presentation slides to help accomplish this task. It is quite exciting to look back and see what the Lord has done through this endeavor. Ryan and I literally might not be where we are today if we hadn’t first studied in our Cadre program. When Doc retired and passed the mantle of the presidency to me in 2018, it seemed fitting to honor his enduring call to Biblical worldview training by renaming the Institute to bear his name. So now it will forever be called the Sharp Institute for Biblical Worldview Studies. Over the course of its history we have had consistent numbers of invited members desiring to learn more of the Word of God. However, we have never had a consistent location to provide the training. It’s through the generous offerings of borrowed church facilities that we have been able to continue SIBWS without a home of its own. It is time to change that. We are in need of our own facility to house the SIBWS presently and for future expansion of this CTF ministry division. We have been pursuing different options, from renovating our present office building to the purchasing of additional space. Providence would have it that 2 doors north of our offices there is a property for sale. It is a great fit for the SIBWS Cadre program needs, and it would also provide room for our books and resources department to expand out of its present cramped space. It has a room for a training facility, a kitchen (needing renovation), dining room options, possible sleeping quarters for a Cadre member in need, 3 bathrooms and a shower, parking out back (which we have been blessed to utilize for years by permission), and the afore mentioned room for our books and resources department. We have no idea how we could ever afford such a property without the Lord’s help, as we are devoted to being as debt free as possible moving forward in this ministry. In the midst of seeking the Lord for this need to be met, He has already sent us a generous offer of a $100,000 matching gift toward the purchase of a property , even if the building up the block is not the one. Truly, our financial position has never been more blessed at any other time in our history than at present, being completely debt free. So, I share all of this to ask for your prayers as we move forward to find a solution to our need of a home for the SIBWS and it’s continued effectiveness for the Kingdom. Also lift up the matching gift offer: I must exhort you to seek the Lord if you are one to help us do what, at this moment seems impossible, to purchase property without incurring debt . The mission of CTF is accomplished month in and month out with the exceeding blessings of churches, family members, and individuals that support us. The Lord’s faithfulness through all these years is unmistakable and we look forward to seeing Him do more of the impossible. May the Lord bless, keep, and challenge you for His Kingdom!

The First Prayer In Congress by T.H. Matteson, 1848

A Miraculous Covering part 1

By Ryan Cox • June 1, 2026

The First Prayer In Congress by T.H. Matteson, 1848