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When you face a fearsome situation, what's your first prayer? "Lord, protect me. Lord, keep me out of trouble. Lord, please calm my churning stomach."

If anyone had reason to pray that kind of prayer, it was Peter and John. They'd just been hauled before the highest religious court of their land: elders, teachers of the Law, the high priest, even the family of the high priest. This court of their superiors roundly lectured them for stirring up trouble. (Peter and John had healed a lame man and then used the occasion of an assembled crowd to preach about Jesus.) The conclusion of the court was to threaten them with the warning that "they were not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus" (4:18).

As soon as they were free, Peter and John joined with other believers and prayed. Their outline for prayer is one we can use in our own fearsome situations. They praise God as Master of heaven and earth. They recited his work in history. They reminded God of what had just happened to them and acknowledged that this too was under his power. Then they asked God for courage. Not safety, not peace, not health. Courage. When they finished praying, "the place where they were assembled together was shaken" and "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness" (4:31).

Sometimes when what you most want is peace, health, and safety, what you need is bravery. In these cases, pray for courage—and get on with the job. (See also 2 Samuel 7:19-29; 2 Kings 19:14-19; 2 Chronicles 6; 7; Nehemiah 1; Psalm 85; Lamentations 5; Matthew 6:5-15.)

Good Words to Remember:
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak your word. Acts 4:29

Today's Challenge:
In what situation do you need to be more courageous?

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

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