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PRAYER OF THE APOSTLES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
Acts 4:29-30

Ephesians 6:10-20

 

“…that utterance may be given unto me,

that I may open my mouth boldly…”

 

PRAYER OF THE APOSTLES
 
Many of the prayer requests we hear in prayer meetings today are for our own health and success, our struggles and our journeys, our children and our parents. All these are not wrong prayer items. They are legitimate concerns that every Christian must pray for. However, we seldom pray for the concerns mentioned here by the Apostles. Their requests were for the work of the Lord and for the benefit of others.
 
Boldness to speak: This was a prayer for an all-out fearless preaching of God’s Word. First, they mentioned how they were threatened. The natural follow-up request would be for protection and safekeeping from the threats. Yet, the next phrase revealed their hearts. They were not fearful of the threatening but they were more concerned about how this could hamper the preaching of the Word. It is human tendency to pray for the removal of danger. But their prayers sought for God’s empowerment on them to speak with all boldness. They were praying that they would not be overcome by fear but would with all confidence speak faithfully, not withholding anything from God’s message.
 
Power to heal: The other prayer concern was for the authentication of their ministry. The power to heal was not for the purpose of showing off to attract the eyes of the people. It was for the purpose of confirming that they were heavenly ambassadors by performing miraculous healing impossible for man. This prayer was again for the glory of God that He be acknowledged as the One who sent these Apostles by the miracles that they might perform to affirm their message from God. Signs and wonders are not meant to save, but are authentication of the divine message that the Apostles preached and wrote during their ministry here on earth. Today, the Word of God is complete, His revelation is enough to show men who He is and what He has done for us. We do not need those signs and wonders anymore.
 
Do you still seek for the signs and wonders to excite your flesh? Do you accept the final and complete authority we have in the Bible?
 
THOUGHT: Do I believe the perfect inspiration of God’s Word?

PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for Thy perfectly preserved Bible.

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