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.
Comment: Yesterday we read that, in colloquial language, Peter and John were told ‘Shut up about Jesus or else.’ Today we read the response of the church family. They may have been worried and concerned but certainly they were not intimidated! They went to prayer and their prayer is inspirational, and a good pattern for praying often. Reading slowly through the prayer 1. They acknowledged God for Who He is. 2. They remembered that God knew all about the world’s leaders reaction to Him. Opposition was not new to Him! 3. They acknowledged that although both all those involved in the mis-trial and Crucifixion of Jesus had to accept responsibility for what they did, God was always the One in charge. 4. They called upon God to embolden them to preach and show His miraculous intervention!
God answered immediately and the remainder of the book of Acts is about God answering their prayer! 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.
Prayer: Please, praying similar prayers, make us bold to tell Your story, Jesus!
As I read it! 