Strength for TomorrowSample

Day 27: The Early Church – Strength in Persecution

Scripture: Acts 4:29-31
Key Verse: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” – Acts 4:29

The early church faced relentless opposition. After Jesus' resurrection and ascension, His followers spread the gospel boldly, but not without cost. The religious leaders tried to silence them, imprisoning and threatening the apostles. Yet, instead of praying for safety or deliverance, they prayed for boldness.

Their request was not for an easier path but the strength to stand firm in their calling. And God answered. “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” (Acts 4:31). Persecution didn’t weaken them; it strengthened them.

This strength comes from relying on God rather than our ability to stand strong. When opposition comes, faith is costly, and the world pushes back, God’s Spirit empowers us to remain faithful. The early church didn’t cower in fear; they pressed forward, knowing their mission was worth the cost.

We may not face the same persecution today, but standing for Christ in a world that opposes truth still requires strength. When we face rejection, ridicule, or difficulty in our faith, we can pray: “Lord, enable us to speak your word with great boldness.”

Prayer Focus: Ask God for the strength to stand firm in your faith, to be bold in sharing the gospel, and to trust Him in the face of opposition.