The Believers Pray

HOOK

DO NOT FORGET TO UNMUTE

It’s WEDNESDAY the 30th day of September— Last day of the month

Yesterday right here at “The Message” we saw how things ended when Peter and John was brought to the Sanhedrin for questioning— they were in interrogated by the elders about the healing of the beggar at the temple lamed for 40 years— from that we learned:

I WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF GOD

NO ONE CAN DENY AND STOP THE SPREAD OF THE TRUTH

Peter and John was so bold and confident because there were on the side of truth, and no one can deny the truth— not even the Sanhedrin— they couldn’t find any reason to punish or discipline them, so they let them go

Let’s see what ensued after their release— open your Bible to ACTS 4:23-31— Once you get there, type “I’m on it!”

When reading in advance, whenever you’re studying God’s Word— look for words that defines that CHARACTER of God, COMMANDS to obey, PROMISES to claim, good EXAMPLES to follow and bad examples to avoid, ENCOURAGEMENTS & CHALLENGES to keep you going, reasons to be THANK GOD for, PRAYERS to pray

READ ACTS 4:23-31

BOOK

Acts 4:23–31 NIV

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

WHAT: In reaction to the opposition to the gospel they experienced, the apostles gather to pray

WHEN: After Peter and John was released from the Sanhedrin

WHERE: Could be in Jerusalem

WHO: Peter, John and the believers— the early church

WHY: To Pray

LOOK

YOU MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND EVERYTHING IN THEM

Notice how they begun their prayers— they always begin with adoration and recognition of God’s sovereignty

They recognize that God created everything— prophets and kings prayed in the same way— KINGS 19:15, NEHEMIAH 9:6

They expressed their dependence on God’s strength— The Christians were unified not only in their prayer, but in their mindset, desires and mission

YOU SPOKE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH THE MOUTH OF YOUR SERVANT, AND OUR FATHER DAVID

The early church quotes PSALM 2:1-2 which they ascribe to David— the use of Psalms 2 acknowledges that the world will oppose the plan of God and the Messiah

God will destroy the nations’ authority and cause the Messiah to rule over them [PSALM 2:8-9]

CONSPIRE AGAINST YOUR HOLY SERVANT JESUS, WHOM YOU ANOINTED

Envisions all types of earthly authorities opposing Jesus— Both Herod and Pilate belong to the governmental structure ruling over Israel

THEY DID WHAT YOUR POWER AND WILL HAD DECIDED BEFOREHAND SHOULD HAPPEN

They recognized that everything that happened was fulfillment of God’s will through God’s power

The early church expresses confidence that God will continue to uphold them and bless them as they carry out the mission He has given them

ENABLE YOUR SERVANTS TO SPEAK YOUR WORD WITH GREAT BOLDNESS

This is now the part of their prayer when they lay down their request before God

THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SPOKE THE WORD OF GOD BOLDLY

God responded to their prayers— they were filled with the Holy Spirit

The place where they were meeting was shaken— God manifest his presence through earthquakes— Exodus 19:18—

TOOK

I WILL START MY PRAYERS BY ADORING GOD

I WILL EXPRESS MY CONFIDENCE AND DEPENDENCE ON GOD WHENEVER I PRAY

SING

Bethel Music— KING OF MY HEART