In Acts chapter three, we learn that Peter healed a lame man and the people who witnessed were filled with wonder and amazement. They asked by what power he was able to perform this miracle and he proceeded to preach to them about Jesus Christ. In chapter four, we discover that the religious rulers of that day could not deny the miracle, but they forbade them from preaching any more about Jesus Christ. It was time to put power in their prayer.
The Confidence of Mighty Prayer
The prayer the disciples prayed in Acts 4 recognized God as the creator of all things. They prayed, "The Jewish high court has told us not to preach, but Lord, You are the creator. They are the created. We are not going to be intimidated."
They also looked to the Controller of all things as they remembered the day when all of their hopes were nailed to a cross. They concluded that no matter what "Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together" to do, that God was still in control (see Acts 4:28).
God is also the conqueror of all things. Further into the second psalm that the disciples quoted, we read, "Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion" (Psalm 2:6). This prophecy tells us that God is on the throne, that sin cannot win, that faith cannot fail, and that our God is the conquering God.
The Commitment of Mighty Prayer
Acts 4:29 says, "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word" (emphasis mine). The word "servants" comes from the Greek word doulos that literally means bondslave. I believe that the reason many of our prayers are not answered is that we have not made that level of commitment to the Lord.
The early church was committed to express His Word (see Acts 4:29 again). Do you live and breathe to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to obey the Great Commission?
The disciples also prayed to extend His hand (see Acts 4:30). Are you praying, "Lord, these hands are Your hands. All You have to do is say the word and my hands will do whatever You want to do today."
Finally, the disciples were committed to exalt His name. Acts 4:30 says, "By stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy child Jesus" (emphasis mine). When you say, "In Jesus' name. Amen" at the end of your prayer, it is not just a closing phrase. What you are really saying is, "I ask these things in Your authority and for Your glory."
The Consequences of Mighty Prayer
When we pray with confidence and commitment, we can expect God to bring the glorious consequences of His Spirit being received, unity being achieved, and the Gospel being believed.
When we approach God in prayer, we need to believe Him for a fresh daily filling of His Spirit to do His work. We cannot operate on yesterday's experience. The Holy Spirit of God will fill you when you're committed to the will and purposes of God.
In Acts 4:32, we learn that the early church "were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." They became one. If you are in any sort of group within your church or Christian group in your community, I encourage you to start initiating a regular time of prayer every day, every week, every month.
Acts 4:33 says, "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." What the church needs today is great power, grace, and reverential fear of Almighty God. If every person who decides right now to pray with power, God's glory will rain down and revive this world!
Are you ready? Will you get ready? Our lives, homes, families, churches, communities, our nation and our world will never see the power of God until His people learn to put power in their prayers.
