“’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 4:29-31 ESV).
The early Christians soon faced intense opposition to the message of God’s free salvation in Jesus Christ. Their response was to pray together for boldness to speak God’s word without fear and for God to back their preaching up with signs. We live in an age when people are rejecting Christianity, but many are rejecting a false idea of it. The Enemy uses this to keep us silent, “Surely your coworker doesn’t want to hear about Jesus. Of course, they won’t come to church if you invite them.†But so many are hurting and God is able to guide and embolden us to speak honestly to those around us who desperately need Jesus.
“Father, you know I am afraid of rejection, of being seen as one of those weird Christians, but I know that so many around me need Jesus as I need Him. Open my eyes to opportunities to tell people about Him, to share how He has been my help in times of need, my healer and friend. Give me boldness and words to speak when these opportunities come. And show yourself strong on their behalf by healing, providing, encouraging and meeting them in their deepest needs. Amen.â€
~~Fr. Scott Howard