The Believers Pray
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 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. Acts 4:23-31
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. - Proverbs 28:1 (NRSV)
A few years ago in the United States, the acronym WWJD referred to a popular phrase — “What Would Jesus Do?” Until recently, I had a great misunderstanding about what those initials stood for. I thought when I was the nice girl who went to church and turned the other way when people offended me that I was being like Jesus. It is true that there are times when we must “turn the other cheek.” (See Matt. 5:39.) However, as I have come to know Jesus more fully through God’s word, I have found Jesus to be a bold and courageous man who did not back down from confrontation and was not afraid
of speaking the truth in love (See Eph. 4:15.), even if it offended people. I began to ask myself, “WWJRD — What Would Jesus Really Do?” As I looked to the people who followed Christ, I discovered men and women who were not afraid to stand boldly for Christ and all he taught. As I became more bold and courageous in my Christian walk, I found true freedom.
Too often, Christians in the church think that being a nice person is the way to be like Christ. However, when we see a fuller picture of Jesus through studying scripture, we can learn from him and find courage and boldness to stand for him. The truth of God’s word will set us free to be the people God created us to be and to find true peace and confidence through Christ. Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, help us to know Jesus and what he stood for. Give us the strength and courage to stand boldly for your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Prayer focus For the courage to be bold
