Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
Acts 4:29 NIV
This verse comes after the healing of the lame man at the temple and Peter’s second ‘sermon’ recorded in Acts. The crowd responded positively to Peter’s message. But the religious leaders took offense and locked up Peter and John. The next day they were brought out for trial and forbidden to speak any longer in the name of Jesus. Peter’s response to the Sanhedrin was that they would obey God rather than men. After additional threats, they are released, gathered with the church, and recounted what had happened. And the verse here is a part of their prayer.
In some parts of the world, sharing the gospel comes at the risk of your life. But where I live, while the gospel is often not popular, it is usually not forbidden. But regardless of where we live and the consequences of sharing our faith, the church’s prayer here should be ours as well. That we might speak the word of God with boldness, despite any opposition we might face. And to do so in a loving fashion.
