The Persecuted Church
As we read through the book of Acts and the birth of this new movement called “the church,” we see some amazing things displayed by God and these followers of Christ.
Things that should have scared them into silence instead emboldened them with incredible faith. We see that these people have been completely transformed by an experience with a risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit indwelling them. They were different…noticeably different.
That difference is displayed in the powerful prayer of Acts 4:24-30. Look how they prayed. First, they acknowledged who they were speaking with: “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea and everything in them.” In other words, “God, we realize we are talking with You, the Creator and Sustainer of Life.” Jesus taught us to pray this way, too. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.” Prayer starts with remembering with whom we are talking.
Second, they quote Scripture. Specifically, they quote Psalm 2:1-2. But, we learn that it is always right to quote God’s Word back to Him. I have heard it said that if we are praying God’s Word we are praying God’s will because the Bible is a revelation of who God is and how He interacts with us.
Next, they acknowledged the problem. The people in charge, that is the religious leaders, were threatening the followers of Jesus as they threatened Peter and John (see Acts 2:21). The believers who were told to stop talking about Jesus understood what was at stake. They knew that the religious leaders said that if they continue to speak about Jesus they will face dire consequences. The problem was real.
But, notice what they prayed next: “…consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness.” Did you notice that? They prayed that God would make them bolder. They didn’t pray that God would strike down the religious leaders with lightning. They didn’t even pray that God would remove these threats or make it easier to live for Jesus.
They prayed that God would grow them, their faith, and their boldness.
Too often when times get tough, we want the Lord to do a work so that our lives or our walk with Jesus is easier. Instead, we should be praying that God will make us strong enough in Him to make it through the tough times.
We want it easy. God wants us holy.
May we pray for greater boldness in the tougher fields of ministry rather than tranquil journeys in the easier fields of ministry. People live in those tougher fields of ministry. And, those people need Jesus. God may send you to that tougher field. Are you OK with that? You should be.
Did God answer their prayer? He did. He shook the walls and gave them more boldness. That’s how a persecuted church prays.
(Questions/responses: jeff.perkins@mbclife.org)