Acts 4:23-31

You, God, and Prayer ?

Who are you? ?

We measure people very quickly, we build up an impression and judgements about someone we have not known very long.

In this passage we see Peter & John as people with a clear sense of identity. Their identity is clearly in the relationship they have with the people of God, in the light of their relationship with God.

As soon as they leave the Jewish leaders, they go back to their church, their friends. Their identity is in their people. This contrasts everyone else in this account as their identity is in their opposition to Christ. And this is our natural state. From birth we are opposed to God. We are in a struggle for who is in charge of our life.

We have a desire in our hearts to rule. This desire is a rebellion to God.

The disciples prayed. Their prayer is a showing of their unity to God. Their identity in God is shown by their communion to God.

Who is in charge of your life? Are you trying to be in charge, or does Jesus have control?

What is God doing? ?

The believers acknowledge God is king and has final authority.

Therefore they pray: "Sovereign Lord"! They declare God's creation, and they know He is creator of all.

How do we get all we need? How do we withstand opposition? How can we thrive? We look to the one who made it all. When we look to Him, other things are put in perspective. We see what is important and what God can do in comparison to our problems and opposition. God makes our state clear. He does not leave us groping in the dark - we need to look to scripture and be fed and informed on our current events.

Any human conspiracy is futile against the victory of the cross. No greater was there a conspiracy against God: to kill the only Son of God. And yet God made it His final victory - and no greater victory there was!

The believer's whole way of life is based on a confidence in God's plan and sovereignty. The cross proves that it is a worthy thing of our confidence.

Why pray? ?‍♀️

There is power in corporate prayer. The believers raised their prayers together as people of God.

In tough times the believers concentrated their efforts on prayer to God for wisdom, guidance, and deliverence.

The main thing they actually pray for is boldness. They want boldness to speak God's word in the face of their threats. We are to be strong and brave in our prayers. Pray that God not only is with us, but gives us the boldness and strength to do things ourselves. We should pray for God's power in us, as well as for us.

Lord, may we know your power.