Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.

After being freed from prison, Peter and John return to a group of believers to share all that has happened in the past few chapters with them. Their imprisonment is beginning to set the tone for some of the first persecutions of early Christians. Although Peter and John were not beaten or murdered or martyred, the negative reception to the preaching of Jesus’ resurrection is becoming more and more apparent and real. I can only imagine the sense of uneasiness they felt as an undercurrent of vitriol and hatred towards the message of Christ began boiling under the surface - the gnawing gut feeling that this was just the beginning of the trials and backlash they would face. So, what do they do? Go into hiding? Lawyer up? Change their plans?

No, they simply gather with other believers and pray together. Upon their release, they return to the safety of “their people” and share all that they have just experienced. Together, as like-minded believers, they prayed in unity for the following…

• The boldness to speak the name of Jesus in the face of threats. They don’t ask for God to take away the opposition or to prevent persecution, but instead, they ask Him to give them the courage and power to share His words in the middle of opposition.
  
• The evidence of God’s power through miracles. This request reveals their confidence in God's power to intervene supernaturally and defend the name of Jesus.
  

When they are finished praying, God reveals Himself by shaking the building they are within. Wow - what a prayer!

Just like the members of the early church, we will face opposition of all kinds in our lives. While we may not be imprisoned or harmed for our religious beliefs, the Bible makes it very clear that we have a very real enemy who opposes God’s perfect and pleasing plans for our lives. John 10:10 tells us that Satan is “the thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy,” and 1 Peter 5:8 compares him to “a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” We know that God has the ultimate victory, and He has not left us to fight the battle on our own. His Word provides us powerful examples just like this passage of what we can do when we face the obstacles of life - gather in community with like-minded believers, pray for one another, and pray in unity for God’s power and strength in the face of opposition.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection: 

• Just like we see in Acts 4, believers regularly gathered in homes for discipleship and prayer where they became deeply connected in a trusted community of faith. House Churches are designed to model that example. Are you in a House Church?
  
• If yes, commit to praying intentionally for each person in your House Church this week.
  
• If no, take the next step in your faith and find encouragement by joining a House Church near you. Learn more and sign up at www.venturechurch.org/housechurch.