Tuesday 05 July 2022
- Bible Book:
- Acts
'And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants 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.' (vs 29-30)
Background
Before today's passage begins, the apostle Peter healed a lame man (Acts 3:1-10), and Peter and John subsequently were arrested and imprisoned (Acts 4:1-12). Today's reading opens with Peter and John's release. They go to their friends and offer a prayer to God.
Today’s reading in the Book of Acts is entitled 'The Believers Pray for Boldness’ (or variations such as ‘The Believers Pray’ or ‘The Believers’ Prayer'). We read how when they prayed, the place where they gathered shook and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and and "spoke the word of God with boldness" (v. 31). Peter and John overcame great obstacles, which can inspire us as we face challenges and aspire to boldness in our own faith journey. As with the original listeners, our evangelism and ministry may at times require us to call upon the Holy Spirit to help us in our tasks.
The reading today also demonstrates how the apostles were ‘one’ in possible times of challenges and obstacles. It talks about how they shared everything, sold their possessions and that: “…the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul”. (v. 32)
To Ponder:
- How can the members of your local church come together to be ‘one heart and soul’? What would be required to help with this? Would prayer meetings help?
- What would be your prayer of boldness today?
Prayer
Almighty God, We boldly come before you now, bringing all that we are. In our evangelism help us to be bold. In our story-telling about Jesus help us to be bold.May God’s love continue to transform us in our evangelism, discipleship, worship, work and ministry in bold ways. We ask this in your Holy Trinity name. Amen.
[Note: The author of this week's 'A Word in Time' Bible study has asked to remain anonymous.]