Musing on treasure Day 12~ standing in the gap. That sounds painful.
Sally the oyster couldn't do much ~ bedridden as she was. But she could pray for her friends. And pray she did.
I love this from the story of Acts. And it was the first thing I thought of after reading Mathison’s thoughts about church dynamics and prayer.
Peter and John had been proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection in Jerusalem; those is charge of the religiosity ~ didn’t like it.
They had healed a man, lame from birth ~ then as he clung to them ~ Peter preached (and I take it that Peter could really preach.)
The council had them arrested and held a trial.
Peter and John spoke to the rulers, elders and scribes ….”And when they (the council) had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them.” Acts. 4:21.
After they were freed, they raced back to their friends and reported everything.
Persecution of the early church in Jerusalem had started…this ultimately was the spark spread the gospel to the known world…but really, persecution by those in religious power?
I’ll sleep in that Sunday.
When Peter and John told them of their adventure, what did these new believers ask in prayer? For money, food, clothes, safety from authorities, that my child be on a certain 4-5 year old soccer team?
(Okay, this is my most favorite thing in all the bible, maybe because I am the biggest chicken east of Marietta.)
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to you servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness…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 continue to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29-31.
Boldness.
That’s all they asked for.
We should boldly pray for our churches, our friends and fellow members and those outside who need to be with us.
Pray for Boldness today.
And be shaken.
(That would be kind of cool, don’t cha think?)
Persecution, no. But being shaken, I’m thinking yes.
