Acts 4:31-32
“After they prayed...”
These were believers in the Lord Christ Jesus.
They did not presume upon their knowledge or even past intimacy with the Lord.
They prayed for what they were about to face; they needed greater boldness, a fresh release of the Holy Spirit, with a specific anointing for the days ahead.
They saw the coming conflict and prepared by praying.
Their prayer was quickly answered.
“After prayer they were filled and received…” Now they were ready.
Without conflict our prayers are often unfocused.
Without urgency our prayers are not so much a request to become useful instruments, but more often an attempt to make God our instrument, asking Him to do for us, our comfort, our security, our well-being.
When we fail to see the greater picture to “Go and make a difference,” our prayers are usually limited by our desires and understanding.
The disciples, aware of the plans being formed against them, could only pray and submit to the Lord to do his purposes.
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak with great boldness.”
Great boldness is only needed when there is great opposition.
Everything was committed to the struggle they were about to face as they proclaimed the Kingdom of God to a desperately needy city. They were preparing for battle, and in this they were of one mind and heart, focused on the task set before them and the resistance they would have to face.
“Declare the Good News!”
“Go and make disciples!”
“After they prayed...”
These were believers in the Lord Christ Jesus.
They did not presume upon their knowledge or even past intimacy with the Lord.
They prayed for what they were about to face; they needed greater boldness, a fresh release of the Holy Spirit, with a specific anointing for the days ahead.
They saw the coming conflict and prepared by praying.
Their prayer was quickly answered.
“After prayer they were filled and received…” Now they were ready.
Without conflict our prayers are often unfocused.
Without urgency our prayers are not so much a request to become useful instruments, but more often an attempt to make God our instrument, asking Him to do for us, our comfort, our security, our well-being.
When we fail to see the greater picture to “Go and make a difference,” our prayers are usually limited by our desires and understanding.
The disciples, aware of the plans being formed against them, could only pray and submit to the Lord to do his purposes.
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak with great boldness.”
Great boldness is only needed when there is great opposition.
Everything was committed to the struggle they were about to face as they proclaimed the Kingdom of God to a desperately needy city. They were preparing for battle, and in this they were of one mind and heart, focused on the task set before them and the resistance they would have to face.
“Declare the Good News!”
“Go and make disciples!”
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