on coffee: Acts 4

In Acts 4, Peter and John had been arrested, thrown in jail, told not to talk about Jesus, and threatened further punishment if they did. When Peter and John met a few hours later with the church, Acts records one of the more remarkable prayers in the scriptures.

They didn't ask God to take away the threats.
What did they pray?
First, they acknowledged God’s ultimate control:

“O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them” (24).

They started with God instead of their immediate circumstances.
Focusing on God’s greatness shaped their and our perspective.

Next, looking back to Scripture, their prayer recognized how our world is fallen and marked by sin (25-26)

Through our ancestor David, your servant, [you] said, “Why were the nations so angry, Why did they waste their time with futile plans?The kings of the earth prepared for battle;the rulers gathered togetheragainst the Lordand against his Messiah

We live in a world of division, anger, sickness, disease, and death. This prayer reminds us a broken world is marked by pain and sorrow.

But their prayer does not end there.
They acknowledged their circumstances. They didn’t try to mask it.

“In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will“ (27-28).

In the midst of their uncertainty, they confessed God's plan that led to rescue. God was not surprised by the persecution they suffered, nor is he surprised by the COVID-19 pandemic we see.

Their prayer turned them to mission.
They did not ask God to deliver them from persecution; instead, they asked God to give them boldness to offer the gospel to others.

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (29-30).

And notice the response.

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 (31).

They prayed that no matter what, they would continue to proclaim the gospel boldly.

Just as God answered his early church and they went forth boldly proclaiming the gospel, so too can we see the same happen.

Times of difficulty can either