Day 18 - 21 Days of Prayer Devotional

21 Days of Prayer DAY 18 - Acts 4:28-31 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. CONSIDER THE CONTEXT Christ had already been crucified and rose again. He had been lifted up before their very eyes into heaven. All pretty powerful and impacting stuff. Soon after these things Peter and John were arrested, thrown in jail and then called before the ruling body of Israel and chastised for the disturbance that Holy Spirit was causing in their group. The ruling body threatened them with strong sanctions (like beatings and imprisonment) if they don't stop allowing things like people being healed from taking place. Peter and John were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke boldly about Jesus to the ruling body and were released. When they returned home to tell everyone what they experienced, they prayed today's prayer of faith. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS Peter and John stood up for Christ. They then asked for more of His Spirit and God answered so quickly that the very room where they met was shaken. The boldness Peter and John had for Christ ushered in the Holy Spirit even more and they spoke more boldly for Christ than before. So much of the Spirit's movement rests on our response to what God is doing in and around our lives. If we are quick to rationalize what is happening we rob God the glory and the power of the Holy Spirit can be greatly reduced in our lives. When we stand up for what God is doing the Holy Spirit is released even more in our lives. Today's prayer of boldness is something that each and every believer needs to desire in their hearts. The Holy Spirit is waiting to be released - go for it in boldness! CONSIDER THE PRAYER Lord, sometimes I just want to live my good and simple life and not be interrupted by the things of the Spirit. Sometimes I just want to coast into heaven. Other times, Lord, I hunger for the power and wildness of Peter and John. To be standing in front of the rulers of the day with the boldness to not back down and openly confess the power of Christ in my life. God bring more power. Bring more boldness. Let me experience the real adventure you have called me to be a part of. Help Coastline to go after the adventure so that we, who call this place our home, will be encouraged to go after it as well. Holy Spirit, be released in my life - be released in my Church. Let us be known as a body of believers who radically live out the grace you have shown us. Let us boldly proclaim where to get that grace that so many are seeking after. Amen.