Articles
Prayer for Boldness
Prayer for Boldness
Brian Ketchem
Acts chapters 2 and 3 are the triumphal chapters of the church that Christ built. The apostles, emboldened by the message and the Holy Spirit, preached Christ through the Old Testament. Massive amounts of converts were being added to the church by the Lord. The church had built a community that was loving, encouraging, and caring for each other.
Sometimes, we over-idealize things that are in the past. We look back on 30 years ago or even pre-COVID and, in our minds, create an idealized community. I don't think Luke, the inspired writer, is guilty of doing the same thing. I cannot imagine what the early church community looked like, but I know I want to be part of it. As the saying goes, however, all good things must come to an end. After a short period of tremendous growth and peace, the early church was about to face its first challenge.
In Acts 4, the text says that the Sadducees came upon them while Peter and John were speaking and arrested them. This was the first sign of hardship in the church. I cannot imagine what the early church thought as they watched these influential preachers carried off by the Jewish leaders. A tragic turn of events suddenly confused what was a perfect situation. So, what do you do when trouble comes up? You pray.
After Peter and John were released, they returned to the disciples. They reported all that had happened with the chief priests and scribes, and then the disciples prayed. I can't help but think how their prayer sounds very different than one I would have prayed. If it was in this century, I think we would have said things like, "heal their wounds" or "Lord take away the persecution we are facing." Instead, the new Christians leaned heavily on the Old Testament and emphasized God's sovereignty.
First, they addressed God as the creator. They then went to their inspired songbook and referenced Psalm 2. This psalm is directly applicable because it starts out talking about people who would try to oppose God's plan. What is interesting is that they leave out the main point of the psalm.
"As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill."
I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have begotten you."
Psalm 2 is a messianic psalm directly referencing the lordship of Jesus. Instead of a prayer for deliverance or healing, the prayer is a praise and request for boldness. This account makes me question what I am taking to God in prayer. Much like the early disciples, we can see where the world is (seemingly) becoming more antagonistic to the truth. So, do I ask God to remove my persecution? Or do I say, "I know you are in charge, help me be bold as I carry out your mission!
