23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 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, 25 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?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
27 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, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 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.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- v23. Peter and John were threatened then released. They immediately went to tell their Christian friends about what happened. It is so great to have Christian friends who can support and share with you.
- v24. When in the church in Sanhedrin, they prayed to the One who created “the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them”. We are reminded that ‘prayer’ is the most effective ‘action’ a Christian can do.
- v25. They prayed to the One who revealed His plan around 1000 years ago through David. Isn’t it wonderful that our Creator actually likes to share His plan with us and let us have a part in it? We have a choice which part we want to play: to either accept His love through Jesus or to ignore and reject it.
- v28. They prayed to the One who decided and did His wonderful salvation. God decided and finished His work no matter what. So it is better to follow Jesus because we are promised to have eternal life and be with this Almighty One and Holy God, forever. After all, if you have experienced His power, love and mercy, you too would want to be close to Him all the time.
- v29. Occasionally there is rejection, social discomfort or difference in opinions. Sometimes people mistook these as persecution and decided to lie low, quit and even disappear completely to avoid uncomfortable situations. Wow! But look at these apostles – they were not afraid of trouble and embarrassment. Though they were just tired and threatened, they asked God to help them be bold and went out preaching again! Not for personal gain or reward, but they did so for the holy servant Jesus. They were truly shining God’s light. Let us be inspired to go and shine God’s light like them!
submitted by Mei Chan
PRAYING IN FAITH
For Yourself
Pray that I will be a Christian that will shine God’s light too.
For Your Five
Pray that God will help them to live an energetic and active Christian life. Also pray that they find close Christian friends.
For Our Church
Pray that our church is always a place for brothers and sisters to support and to share with each other.