The Power of Prayer

“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31)

                After Peter and John were released from their temporary incarceration at the hands of the religious leaders, they went right back to the church and reported the things they had experienced.  When the church heard their report, they gave praise to God and lifted their voices in prayer.  With their prayer, they praised God as the Creator, reflected on the Word of God, lifted up the name of Jesus, and even asked that God would give them more boldness by performing more signs and wonders.

                Verse 31 is the result of their prayers.  First, “the place where they were assembled together was shaken.”  God answered their prayers for more miracles immediately by superseding the laws of nature and shaking the room they were gathered in.  In addition, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”  That should be a challenge to every one of us.  If we’ve placed our faith in Jesus, we are inhabited by the Holy Spirit, but it should our goal to be daily filled with His power (Eph. 5:18).

                Furthermore, “they spoke the word of God.”  The same Holy Spirit who authored Scripture filled their mouths with His own words.  Being Spirit-filled and Word-focused, the church was blessed “with boldness.”  Notice the progression – prayer lead to a miracle, then the Holy Spirit’s presence, then sharing the Word with boldness.  If God was able to accomplish those mighty things when His church prayed, He’s able to do the same today.  Let us spend much more time on our knees seeking the power of heaven!