Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” — Mark Twain”
“Fear is a natural and biological condition that we all experience,” says Dr. Sikora. “It’s important that we experience fear because it keeps us safe.” Fear is an essential human emotion but it can also have destructive negative consequences. Fear is the root cause for most psychological medical issues such as stress, panic attacks, anxiety and depression. Fear can debilitate visions, demean ambitions and dilute passion.
After the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early apostles they performed astounding miracles and preached power-packed sermons. The mighty revival was transforming the lives of thousands in a span of a few weeks. The Sandrine (the Rabbinate Jewish Court and committee) were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead (Acts 4:2). They arrested Peter and John who had healed a 40 year old lame man sitting at the Beautiful Gate of the temple and the crowd went ballistic. The Jewish Court gave the disciple a stern warning not to preach in the name of Jesus and not to preach about His resurrection. After further threats they let them go (vs 21) as they could not deny the miraculous healing that the throng had just witnessed. The further threats were nothing but death notice if they continue to preach the invigorating message of Jesus Christ.
Three points to focus when we pray to overcome fear:
1. Oneness: Those who killed Jesus were also plotting to kill the apostles in order to silence them but after receiving the death notice, they went back to their own people and gave them a report of everything that happened. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God (vs 24). When you are afraid or threatened about anything, get together with likeminded believers and pray with oneness. Unity and oneness bolsters strength when we are afraid.
2. Boldness: The believers defeated the plans and plot of the council that tried to hide the truth and conceal their culpability of crucifying Jesus. The miracles proved that Jesus whom they crucified has risen from the dead. The believers prayed for boldness to overcome the fear of death and persecution. They prayed ‘enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness’. Even if our innate nature is timidity, prayer for boldness will drive out fear and nervousness.
3. Witness: Nothing stopped the early church from carrying the gospel to the world. Some of them were thrown as prey to beasts and burnt alive. Families were torn apart and they were persecuted but the more they were persecuted the faster the good news spread. Prayer for boldness will flame the message in our heart and anoint our tongue. Be open, candor yet polite about your stand on any issue. Don’t let fear shut you up when sin is condoned.
Boldness will drive out the fear of death.
Acts 4:19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges.
Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, fill me with boldness and compassion to stand firm lovingly and be a powerful witness in my social and secular circle. Amen
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