When the Going Gets Tough
Opening Prayer
Give thanks for Jesus, the Light of the world. Tell him what he means to you and thank him.
Read Acts 4:23-31
[23] On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. [24] When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. [25] You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? [26] The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ [27] Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. [28] They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. [29] Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. [30] Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [31] After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How would you summarize the believer's prayer here?Recently, my laptop crashed. After diagnosing the symptoms, archiving my hard drive and reinstalling the operating system, it was successfully restored to default settings and all was well again. When things go wrong, what is our default setting? Do we run around in a panic, looking for someone to blame, or do we return to a place of restoration and renewal? Immediately after the Sanhedrin released Peter and John, they returned to their friends and prayed, lifting their voices and declaring together the might and power of the Creator God (24). Compared to the stature of the Almighty, everything else is small; threats, persecution, power games, all fade away in the light of the anointed one, Jesus. They remember words once spoken by the psalmist David (25,26). Rebellious earthly leaders, raging nations, and God-deniers have been a familiar theme throughout history and suddenly the disciples are aware of their own war of the worlds. It is clear what their default setting is and, as they pray, the Holy Spirit shakes the room as if to say, “You are not alone. We are in it together.”
Apply
When you are up against it, what is your default setting? Do you pray or panic? If needed, ask for help.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, when I face trouble or danger, may I turn to You first. I know You’re always with me.
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