Jim Stephens' Gracenotes from Resource Ministries International

Great Boldness

ByJim Stephens

Reading:  Acts 4:23-31

29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31 (NLT)

Now it begins! Just a couple of months after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, soon after the Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost, the pressure begins. The Jewish ruling Sadducee party (who did not believe in life after death) reacted to the believers’ message that Jesus was alive again after death. The rest of the ruling council, including the Pharisees and Jewish elders, was concerned that this new and powerful message would upset the fragile relationship that existed between the Jewish system and the Roman government. Peter and John were arrested, brought before the Sanhedrin, and threatened for their healing and their preaching.

When they were released, they quickly found other Christ-followers gathered and initiated a prayer meeting. The thing that most caught my attention is the tone and topic of their prayer:

  • They worshipped.
  • They interpreted current events in light of scripture.
  • They affirmed God’s plan in what was happening.
  • They asked for fearless confidence to be faithful in spite of the opposition.
  • God answered with his power and his presence.
  • They were bold in the face of opposition and persecution!

What about me? What about us? Facing opposition, threatened with beating and imprisonment, right on the heels of the murder of my leader, what would I pray for? I’m afraid my inclination would be to pray for safety for me and my family or for judgment on my persecutors. But that’s not how I want to be! I want to be a Christ-follower who would pray for fearless confidence and the forgiveness of my persecutors.

Prayer:

Father, I want to be more concerned about the Kingdom of God than about my own comfort and safety. I often get bogged down in detail. I need a fresh vision of the Kingdom of God ever before me. Please help me to be fearlessly confident and bold as I face challenges, obstacles, and opposition. By your grace! Amen.