What Are You Praying For?
The 1st century Christians just experienced their first persecution. They were getting way too LOUD with the J word and the R word.
Jesus and Resurrection
People who didn’t like these two words began to threaten them. They took Peter and John captive. They told them to shut up. They told them to stop talking about Jesus and the Resurrection.
So there they were, back from their time in prison, the warning still fresh in their ears to shut up and speak no more about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then “they raised their voices together in prayer to God” (Acts 4:24)
You’d think they’d get the picture, calm down and stay low. You’d think the believers would start begging and pleading Peter and John to stop preaching about Jesus and the resurrection and stop saying offensive comments like, “Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus.” You’d think they’d advise Peter and John to tone down and talk about stuff like love and peace and fluffy stuff that makes people feel all good & warm inside. And last but not least, you’d think they’d start praying for safety, protection, a hedge around them & double troop of guardian angels.
But is that what they did? Is that what they prayed for?
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. (Acts 4:29)
Ummm ( . . . )
Have you ever prayed for boldness? When was the last time you prayed for boldness?
What do you usually pray for? A good day? A safe trip? Good score on a test? A good night’s rest? Every one of these same ole' repeated prayers does not require God’s powerful intervention. Ever wonder how many times God has heard the same prayers night after night? He already knows that you’re going to thank Him for the day and ask Him to protect you through the night. Don’t you want to surprise God tonight by asking for boldness to speak His Word to your friends and co-workers?
Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. (Acts 4:30)
What would happen if God answered this prayer in your life? What if God did stretch out His hand and used you as His instrument to heal the world around you? Just what if...? Don’t you want to pray this prayer and see what happens?
What do you think happened when they prayed this prayer?
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. (Acts 4:31-32)
As long as we keep praying for ourselves, nothing will happen. Nothing will change. We’ll keep praying the same ole’ prayers. But when we start praying for boldness to speak God’s word, when we start praying for His out-stretched arms to touch us and heal the world through us, our lives will be shaken and filled with the Holy Spirit! The spirit of boldness & generosity will fill our hearts and we’ll begin to share everything freely. Our lives will overflow with the Spirit of God and it will flow into the world around us!
So, what are you praying for tonight?
_______
Justin Yang currently serves as the youth pastor for the Virginia Korean Seventh-Day Adventist Church .