A Prayer of a Group in Jerusalem

When we pray individually we know our concerns but when leading a group how can one know what they are concerned about? Look at Acts 4:18-31.

 

[18] So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  [19] But Peter and John answered them, "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."  [21] And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.  [22] For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

 

Peter and John, key men in the church at Jerusalem had been arrested and put into jail. The next day a hearing was held. The court ordered them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus and released them. Peter and John met with the church and reported the court order. After the report, the group prayed.

 

[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

 

They were praying out of a felt need for help from God. Their leaders had been arrested. The government was opposing them and forbidding their preaching and teaching about Jesus.

 

Their prayer begins with a recognition of the sovereignty of God. They seek the help of Him who created the Heavens and the earth. They believe in God.  Next they remember the description in Psalm 2 of the nations raging against the Lord.

 

        [24a] 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'—

 

They remember how Herod and Pilate and Israel opposed Jesus.

 

[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. 

 

Then they ask God to empower them to be bold in the face of their opposition and to continue to work through them to proclaim Jesus.

 

[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.

 

It is interesting they did not ask God to remove the opposition. They might have been a legitimate interest as indicated by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:2

 

   ... that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men.

 

Instead they asked for courage to face the opposition. They remembered who they were and who God is. Prayer should help us remember who God is and what he has done in the past. Out of this know who God is and what he has done we can find  help in our present situation. We pray believing. Recognizing who we are helps us to know what we must do. Peter and John recognize themselves as servants of god. They were joining the company of those in the past who had suffered for God. In the name of Jesus they went out and spoke the Word of God boldly.