Read:
Reflect:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42)
Prayer offers tremendous promise. Jesus himself said:
13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14)
On the other hand, prayer is also a great mystery. Life experience teaches us that often we ask for things that are good and God-honoring in themselves and God does not appear to answer, but the opposite happens. Yet the Scriptures urge us to persist in prayer even till the day of the Lord’s return (see the parable of persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8). How then do we cope with the challenge of prayer to which the first Christians, as should we, were devoted? Perhaps a look at how the early believers prayed can guide us as well.
First of all their prayer was firmly lodged in loyalty to Jesus. Peter and John had healed a lame man in the name of Jesus (Acts 3) and were immediately called to account by the Jewish Council. They wanted to know by what power and name they had performed the miracle. Peter unashamedly declared that it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (4:10) and then boldly added:
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (v 12)
When the Council charged them not to speak or teach in Jesus’ name anymore and threatened them with punishment, Peter and John firmly replied:
19…Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. (vv 19-20)
It was in this context of danger, challenge and a clear declaration of loyalty to Jesus that they went back to their group and launched into fervent prayer (vv 23-31).
Their prayer began with a resounding affirmation of the sovereignty of God over his creation and all of human history. As David asserted in Psalm 2, the nations of the earth may strut their pride and rage against the Lord and against his Anointed (Jesus, the Messiah), but all to no avail (vv 25-26). God’s sovereign purposes (including Jesus’ death) would be accomplished despite the fierce opposition of Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles and the involved Israelites (vv 27-28). This firm belief was the solid foundation on which they made their request in submission to God’s holy will.
Their surprising request was for boldness to continue their witness.
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. (vv 29-30)
They did not ask for the threats to be removed, but sought for boldness to continue testifying in the midst of the problems, with God continuing to work through them. No wonder the place was shaken, their very persons filled with the Holy Spirit, and continued bold sharing of the word.
There is much to learn about prayer, but perhaps the fundamental lesson to learn from this reflection is that all prayer needs to start from the firm conviction of God’s sovereignty over everything, and a deep desire that his will and purposes be accomplished whatever the challenges may be that we are asked to face.
Respond:
9 Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)