Prayer: Shakin' things up...

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.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23-31 ESV)
There is no denial that the early church was a church of prayer. It was a daily event for the believers to gather together and sharing a common spiritual experience, including "the prayers."(Acts 2:42). The result was bold and effective proclamation of the Gospel, both by the apostles and by the people in general. So how did they pray? What did they pray. They began with true praise to the Sovereign Lord. They believed in Him so much, and in his control and power so much, that they were able to say: "Lord, You know the persecution we're receiving as followers of Christ, and we trust You to take care of that in how you see fit. As for us, help us remain steadfastly bold in our faith and our words. Help us to step back and watch You work and do what only You can do. " May we pray and see Him shake things up today.