Pray FirstSample

DEVOTIONAL

In today’s video clip, pastor Chris Hodges says “Prayer is a conversation with God, but there’s also a spiritual element of it that is powerful...It’s not just communing with God, but we’re also confronting the enemy.”

Peter and John knew what it was like to confront enemies more than most people will ever understand. After healing a crippled man near the temple (Acts 3:1-10) they were arrested by the Sanhedrin. Even though they’d just done something miraculous in front of the temple of God, they were forced to spend a night in jail. Then, the next morning, they were brought before a tribunal for questioning (4:1-7). Peter then shares the gospel, which astonishes the tribune (v. 13). The presence of the now-healed cripple left them speechless (v. 14).

Unfortunately, enemies rarely know when to quit. The Sanhedrin continued to hold Peter and John, and even threatened them, before finally letting them go (vv. 15-22).

So, a long day and night of injustice preceded the prayer in today’s reading, leading the apostles to declare, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (vv. 29-30)

We often forget that prayer is powerful. In the busyness of normal days, we overlook our power-filled, direct connection with God. But like Peter and John, we can pray boldly for powerful acts of God. In Jesus’s name, we too can ask God to act against the injustices of this world, or to bring healing to those in need. Don’t miss the power of God in your life today! Call out boldly to him in prayer.

REFLECTION

How were you taught to understand prayer as a child? Powerful? Quiet? Reverential or super serious? Or, just an occasional wish?

Read James 5:16. Is there anything you need to confess to God in prayer today?

Understanding that prayer can be powerful, or experienced in a group as it was in today’s reading, can be uncomfortable for many people. What might you need to overcome in order to experience prayer in these ways?

PRAYER

In your prayer time today, think back to a moment or a season when you experienced prayer in an especially powerful way. Thank God for that time and consider praying for a new, powerful act of God in your life.