The Believers Pray for Boldness

October 31, 2019

DAILY READINGS

Acts 4:23-31
This weekend’s scripture: Acts 4:32-37

FIELD NOTES

Chapter four of Acts depicts the account of Peter and John boldly sharing the good news of Jesus resurrected. They share this story three times. First, to the crippled beggar inActs 3:6, whom they heal. Then again to the crowd who gathers because of the healing miracle. Then once more to the religious authorities who question how they did it. Each time, they boldly state the name of Jesus as the source of all power, healing, and authority.
 
The scribes and elders threatened them, but couldn’t indefinitely detain them. So Peter and John returned to the rest of the believers to celebrate the conversion of so many, and together they pray for continued boldness in the face of risk:
 
“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.”
 
The believers’ prayer of Acts 4:29-30 inspired me to pray thusly, “Look, God, you keep doing your thing, and we’ll keep talking about it and celebrating it. We’re not the healer, but Christ is. Give us the humility to give you the glory, and the boldness to keep seeing and sharing your works and wonders in the world. Amen.”

QUESTION FOR THE FIELD

1. Have you ever felt renewed or strengthened by communal prayer?
2. How does shared community make us bold?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

1. Think of a time when you felt bold. What makes us bold?

PRAYER GUIDE

Loving God, you are the great physician. You are the healer and the miracle worker, not us. Give us boldness to keep pointing to you in all times and places, when things are going well and when we cry out to you to save us. We boldly proclaim your name, in the name of Jesus the Christ, the Lord and Savior of the world. Amen.