Key Scripture: Acts 4:24, 31 “...they lifted their voices together to God... And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”

Please read Acts 4:5–31.

In an article entitled “10 Things You Should Know about Corporate Prayer,” Megan Hill wrote, “The church at prayer is a body at work, an army at war, and a congregation at worship.” Have you ever thought of your brothers and sisters in Christ as fellow workers, warriors, and worshipers in prayer? In today’s passage, we see just that.

The Lord Jesus Himself commissioned Peter, John, and the others, to testify to what they had seen and heard. Matthew 28:18–20 says, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’” As His servants, their allegiance remained with Christ and they sought to fulfill the purpose for which He called them—the work of the kingdom. Even in the face of opposition, their circumstances did not discourage them.

United in mind and in the Spirit, these members of the body of Christ prayed to remain faithful workers—servants who would “continue to speak [God’s] word with all boldness” and perform signs and wonders in the name of Jesus. Like warriors, they strengthened each other for battle against the schemes of man by recounting who God is and what He had done in the past. They reminded each other of what they had witnessed (verses 27–28). Not one thing—not even the crucifixion of Christ—occurred outside the will of the Sovereign Lord! As they prayed together, the disciples worshiped the One who created the heavens and the earth and had the power to overcome any obstacle that lay in their path—including the religious leaders who sought to oppose them. The Lord heard and answered the prayer of these fellow workers, warriors, and worshipers. By His grace, and the power of His Spirit, they all walked away encouraged and confidently continued to speak the word of God with boldness.