Day 43 — Courage to Speak

Day 43 · Drawing Near in Prayer · Acts 4:23-31 (NET2)

Threatened for speaking about Jesus, the believers pray together. They acknowledge God’s rule, remember Scripture, and ask for boldness rather than a trouble-free life. God strengthens them by his Spirit to continue their witness. Prayer can turn our attention from the size of the opposition to the faithfulness of God, while keeping us dependent on him for what comes next.

Request

Sovereign Lord, give your people courage to speak your word with love. Amen.

Read

Acts 4:23-31

²³ When they were released, Peter and John went to their fellow believers and reported everything the high priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, “Master of all, you who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, ²⁵ who said by the Holy Spirit through your servant David our forefather,
‘Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot foolish things?
²⁶ The kings of the earth stood together,
and the rulers assembled together,
against the Lord and against his Christ.’

²⁷ “For indeed both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, ²⁸ to do as much as your power and your plan had decided beforehand would happen. ²⁹ And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, ³⁰ while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” ³¹ When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously.

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. What do the believers ask for in response to threats?
2. Where do you need courage to speak faithfully rather than remain silent from fear?

Restate

Summarize how remembering God’s rule shapes this prayer.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise God whose purposes are not defeated by opposition.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him for the witness of Jesus’ followers.
• Confession: Confess fear that keeps you from faithful speech.
• Intercession: Pray for Christians facing hostility.
• Petition: Ask the Spirit for boldness joined to gentleness.

Carry it into today: Pray with another believer for one opportunity to speak about Jesus.