Acts 4:23-30 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves,and the rulers were gathered together,against the Lord and against his Anointed’— for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue 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.”
I love this prayer. As we see the increased pressure against freedom to share our faith - by military chaplains and in public settings, we need to call out to our Creator, cling to the truths of scripture, and ask for a compassionate boldness to not be afraid or ashamed of the Gospel. It is a prayer that the Truth will prevail and God will be glorified. It also gives us a construct for how we can pray for those across the world who truly are being persecuted for their faith and testimony, being imprisoned, beaten, and even giving their lives. We call out to You, Sovereign Lord!
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