Sister Brittenne Boykin
Acts 4:1-31 (ESV)
We will experience seasons of both great success and trouble in the same season. Our response as believers to difficulty and uncertainty is prayer. The text shows us that even in times of joy and trouble we can pray. God equips us with courage in prayer.
Point #1: We can experience both success and distress in the same season. Verse 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. Verse 18-21 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
Point #2: We can respond to life and it’s seasons with prayer Verse 24 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,
Point #3: We can receive boldness (confidence, courage) in prayer. Verse 31 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.
Journaling Questions:
Is prayer our response to trouble? How is God challenging us in our relationship with Him?
