And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, -- Acts 4:29 (KJV)
What would you put in a prayer after someone ordered you to stop doing the work God gave you? The believers in Acts bring that situation to the Lord and make a specific request. They ask Him to see the threats and help His servants continue speaking.
Thy Servants, Thy Word
They call themselves servants. They do not have to settle the council's next move before they can ask for help with their own obedience. God sees the people threatening them, and they belong to Him.
The boldness they request has a purpose: "they may speak thy word." They want to keep giving people what God has said. Boldness here cannot be measured by how much attention a speaker attracts or how sharply he answers an opponent. These servants need courage for the message entrusted to them.
That gives us something definite to ask for. When someone needs to hear about Jesus, pray for the courage to speak His word accurately and with care. You may still feel nervous when you begin. Tell the truth with the help you have asked God to give.
Stretch Forth Thine Hand
Their request continues in verse 30: "By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus." They ask for God's healing work alongside their speech. They expect to serve while God does what they cannot accomplish themselves.
We can pray for the sick in Jesus' name without promising an outcome the Lord has not told us. We can remain beside someone, offer practical care, and keep asking Him to heal. The need of the person matters; this prayer gives us no reason to use someone's illness to advertise ourselves.
Nor does it forbid a frightened believer from asking for protection, relief, or help reaching safety. You can ask God to protect you and ask Him to make you faithful.
As you pray about the difficult situation before you, where could you add a request for continued service? Name the person who needs His word or His healing. Ask Him for help serving that person, even before you know how He will address the threat.
