Fan the Flame - A Journey Through ActsSample

Day 9 - The Believer's Prayer

I’ve had a chipped windscreen in my car for many years. It was fine and never grew, so I never saw a need to replace it, and honestly, it was one of my lowest priorities. That was until a couple of months ago when I finally went to the effort of replacing the windscreen. It was so lovely to finally have a clear view! A couple of weeks later, I was driving behind a truck… and now I am left with not just a chip but a massive crack over the driver’s side of my windscreen. Typical –when you finally get something replaced, it gets broken again almost immediately! I can tell you, my first response was not what we see here in this passage.

For Peter and John, their first response to the challenge was prayer. After being released by the Sanhedrin, they went back to their fellow believers, and together, they lifted their voices in prayer to God.

What’s striking is not only that they prayed but what they prayed for. They didn’t ask for safety or vengeance against those who threatened them. Instead, they prayed for boldness to continue speaking God’s word and for God’s power to be demonstrated through signs and wonders (Acts 4:29-30). In response, God shook the place they were gathered, filled them with the Holy Spirit again, and emboldened them for the mission ahead.

I am personally encouraged and equally challenged by Peter and John’s response here. First, the believers’ instinct was to pray. Rather than relying on their strength or retreating in fear, they turned to God as their first response. This shows their deep dependence on Him and recognition that the battle they were in was spiritual, not just physical.

Second, they prayed not only for themselves but also for those who persecuted them. Their prayer echoes Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Rather than responding with hatred or fear, they sought God’s strength to keep proclaiming the gospel in the face of opposition. This reflects the heart of Christ, who, even while on the cross, prayed for His persecutors.

How do we respond when we face challenges, opposition, or even persecution? It’s easy to react with anxiety, anger, or a desire to retaliate. But Acts 4 reminds us that our first response should always be prayer. When life’s pressures close in, we need to turn to God, recognising that He is the source of our strength and wisdom.

We are also called to pray for those who oppose us. Whether we face criticism for our faith or personal conflict, the gospel calls us to love our enemies and pray for them. This doesn’t mean we approve of injustice or wrongdoing, but it reflects the love and grace that Christ extended to us. When we pray for those who persecute us, God works both in their hearts and in ours, aligning our response with His will.

So today, let’s make prayer our first response, trusting that God can work through every situation for His glory. Would we also pray for those who oppose or hurt us? Would God give us the grace to love them as He does and to trust that He is working in their lives? Let’s pray we’d be filled with boldness to proclaim God's word and to walk in His ways, no matter what we face.

Written by Ashley Hicks