Learning to pray
At the start of this chapter, the chief priests and religious leaders were offended that Peter and John were actively sharing the gospel, and as a result people were giving their lives to Jesus and healing miracles were taking place. These leaders then attempted to silence Peter and John from talking about Jesus.
As we can see from today's reading, Peter and John prayed to God about this challenge. Their approach to God, illustrates several aspects that can also teach us how we ought to pray:
Honouring God first (v.24) - before their requests they praised God, they recognised who He is and declared His sovereignty. It’s essential to cultivate a habit of honouring God through praise before we make our petitions. Not only does this invite God’s presence, but also diverts our focus from ourselves to God.
Declaring God’s Word (v.25)- Peter and John referenced the words of David from the Psalms which highlighted the conspiracy of the rulers against Christ. The act of proclaiming God's Word during prayer is immensely powerful, allowing us to stand firm, trust and have faith in His promises.
Praying in unity (v.23,24)- the importance of praying with other believers is so impactful and encouraging. Peter and John gathered with other believers to discuss the challenges they faced and together they prayed in unity. In doing so, God responded to their needs.
Pray for God’s will to be done (v.28) - notice that Peter and John did not ask God to remove the problem but to help them deal with it. Let’s be receptive to how God wants to deal with our challenges. There are times God can remove a problem, but we must recognise that He may leave the problem in place so we can rely on His strength and have the courage to deal with it.
Be expectant and thankful (v.31) - ‘after they had finished praying… they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness’ Despite the chief priests and religious leaders attempts to silence them, God answered their prayers by empowering them with boldness and confidence so they could continue to proclaim the gospel.
Today, as we read and reflect on this passage, may the Lord teach us how to pray so we can be filled with boldness and confidence to complete the work He has set before us, and walk in full alignment with Him.
Heavenly Father, we thank You. We exalt Your name and declare the sovereignty of You. We pray for the grace to be consistently aligned with Your word. We pray for the boldness, strength and confidence to share Your word, in the name of Jesus.
- Marcia Mumo