“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 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.

There are several times throughout the book of Acts when things look bleak for Jesus’ followers. They are repeatedly arrested, questioned, mocked, and some are even killed. This persecution comes as they are advancing God’s kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit. They are participating in miracles, witnessing the conversion of thousands, and repeatedly being filled by the Holy Spirit in dramatic encounters. But from the early chapters of Acts through the end of the book, with every momentous gain comes intense opposition.

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We see this pattern of spiritual breakthrough followed by enemy attack in Acts 3 and 4. In Acts 3:6, Peter tells a lame beggar, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” This miracle provides an opportunity to preach the good news to a great crowd that gathered, astounded by the healing. But Acts 4:1-2 tells us this teaching “greatly annoyed” the religious leaders, who arrest Peter and John. Undeterred by their captivity, Peter and John continue to preach as they are interrogated.

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They are eventually released and commanded to cease and desist their preaching. Peter and John flatly refuse, answering, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:19-20). After they are released, they report back to the other believers, “And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God” (Acts 4:23). Today’s passage is the conclusion of that prayer.

We began this series on prayer by looking at the model for prayer Jesus gave his disciples—the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus taught us to pray, “your will be done,” and that is the heart of the believers’ prayer in Acts 4. In the midst of turmoil and suffering, these early Christians didn’t pray for the opposition to stop. When we look at what they specifically prayed for, to be able to continue speaking God’s word and continue witnessing signs and wonders, these would lead to continued and increased opposition, not less. They prayed for boldness in the midst of the coming persecution.

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So that’s what they prayed for: boldness to continue advancing God’s kingdom. But how they prayed is also critical. They “lifted their voices together to God.” These believers set an amazing example for us. As soon as Peter and John are released, they go to their friends. And, as soon as the friends hear of the latest opposition, they cry out to God together. This is so convicting for me as I am often slow to share my difficulties with others and quick to move on when others share their sorrows and struggles with me.

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How about you, do you face your fears alone? Or do you have a community of believers to join you in praying for boldness? How about when someone shares a hardship with you? Do you say, “I’m sorry to hear that,” and move on? Or do you stop and lift your voices together to God? It can be intimidating to step out and join a life group or a serve team and to share your burdens with other believers, but just look at verse 31 and see what happens when we do: God responds! He emboldened the early church through his Spirit to continue advancing his kingdom.  

Father in Heaven, your kingdom come, your will be done. Please show me who you have placed in my life to join me in seeking you. Who would you have me lift my voice together with to pray against fear so we can boldly advance your kingdom? I don’t want to run from opposition; I want to run to you. Let it be in my family, my school, my workplace as it is in Heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.