Part 5: Shaken by Prayer
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, 25 who 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? 26 THE 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.
“29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your Word with great boldness, 30 while 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).
