4:23 “When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
‘‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Group prayer time can often seem predictable. Someone requests prayer for a sick loved one, another prays for financial needs, another for guidance in dealing with a difficult teenager at home. These kinds of prayers are totally acceptable, but consider the prayer said by the apostles in this week’s Scripture reading. Certainly they could have prayed for all kinds of needs. But they are about to enter into a time of persecution; they see it coming. What’s striking is that they don’t pray for comfort or ease, and they don’t complain about their persecution. Instead, they pray for boldness in their proclamation of Jesus! They also take comfort in God’s sovereignty over all things (v. 24), knowing that the opposition they face isn’t outside of God’s control. God answers their prayers by filling them with the Holy Spirit and empowering them to continue their mission in the face of opposition.
Questions
- Life can be complicated, difficult, and painful. Despite the scandal of Jesus’ crucifixion, the believers acknowledge in prayer that all things are within God’s plan and “predestined to take place.” What is happening in your life right now that seems out of God’s control?
- Do you ask God for boldness? If so, how does he answer your request?
- Have you faced opposition in your witness to family, coworkers, or friends? How do you need God’s help in this?
- Are there people in your life with whom God is calling you to boldly share the gospel?
Pray
Father, we ask for boldness to speak the word of God and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Please grant our request, and give us a sense of urgency for lost people in our lives. We praise you, Sovereign Lord, for your perfect plan that includes salvation, healing, and miracles through the name of Jesus. Thank you that because of the work of the Holy Spirit, we are never alone as we face opposition.
This small-group study is adapted from the Acts Study Guide: Chapters 1–5. This is a companion resource to Pastor Mark’s current sermon series, Acts: Empowered for Jesus’ Mission.
