3 minute read
What Are We Praying For?
from February 2021
by Brent Goodge
The world is changing so fast, there is little doubt that the events inspiring this article will be obsolete by publishing date. Just days ago, the United States Capitol building was stormed by protestors. The President of the United States has been banned from various means of communication. Confidence in leadership seems to be at an all-time low.
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Freedom is under attack. Religious freedom, the foundational principle that above all others paved the way for the greatness of this nation, is tenuous at best. Judges
have ordered businesses to provide services against the conscience of the provider. But looking back through salvation history, freedom of conscience is the historical anomaly rather than the rule.
Peter and John healed a crippled man outside the temple through the power of the Name of Jesus Christ. The rulers were stunned that Jesus’ power continued through His disciples. The rulers knew Jesus had been raised from the dead, but any such admission on their part would end all their political influence. Thus, the rulers were content to pretend that Jesus was dead in order to save themselves from political ruin.
Yet Peter preached in the Name of Jesus that He was indeed the Messiah, laying the blood of Jesus on the hands of the priests and rulers. Further, while the leaders pretended to be the arbiters of salvation through the temple services, Peter boldly declared, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
This the temple leaders could not tolerate. The preaching of the apostles must be silenced. In terrible anger, they demanded that the apostles never again preach about or do anything in the Name of Jesus Christ again. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter replied, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). After further threats, the two apostles were released. They joined the rest of the apostles and held a prayer service. If I were there, I would have likely been pleading with God for safety. But what did the apostles pray for instead of Divine protection? The apostles prayed for more boldness to stand for God no matter what happened (Acts 4:29-30). Their only aim was to be faithful to the One who had died for them. Their only desire was to see more lost souls saved through the power of His blood.
As we see the world falling apart around us, as we see the principles of freedom crumble before our eyes, what are we praying for? There is nothing wrong with praying for Divine protection. But are we praying with a burden for lost souls? Do we plead with God for boldness to share the Gospel regardless of the consequences? If not, maybe we are praying for the wrong thing.
About The Author Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County and prays that he will always be faithful when Jesus says, “Go.”
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