Page 3 - October 2025 - Truth & Tidings

t is not the first prayer in Acts, but it is quests, but with a recognition of who God
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the first one recorded since the coming is – “Sovereign Lord” (ESV). They praise the
Iof the Holy Spirit, and therefore, the sovereignty of God, recognizing that He is
first recorded prayer of the Church. So, the Creator of all things and, therefore, has
what did they pray? What lessons can we unlimited power. There is nothing He can-
learn from the prayer in Acts 4:24-30? not do. In short, in this first recorded prayer
The context of their prayer is the release of of the Church, believers remind themselves
Peter and John after the healing of the lame Who it is they are praying to before any
man in chapter 3. The Jewish authorities were request is made. We need to remember that
enraged that thousands had been converted, more often.
believing that Jesus of Nazareth was the Note what they don't ask. They don't pray
Messiah and had risen from the dead. Peter the Lord to remove the threats, but simply to
and John were warned and threatened not to “look upon” their threats (v29). Nor do they
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preach again in the name of Jesus. So, they ask God to crush their opponents, as some of
went to their fellow believers and informed the psalmists did. This is the first recorded
them of these threats. Their immediate prayer of believers in a new dispensation,
reaction was to pray. When trouble comes, where Christ’s followers imitate Him who,
prayer should be our first response, not our “when he suffered, he did not threaten, but
last resort.
Also instructive is the concord of their prayer. continued entrusting himself to him who
“And when they heard that, they lifted up judges justly” (1Pe 2:23 ESV). They simply
their voice to God with one accord” (v24 leave those threatening them in the hands of
KJV). The singular noun “voice” emphasizes the Sovereign Lord. What they do ask is for
their unity. These believers wanted the same boldness to spread the Word of God. To these
thing and prayed “with one mind” (NET). early believers, the spread of God's Word
The confidence of their prayer can be seen in was more important than the safety of God's
their quotation of Scripture, noting the par- people. This doesn't mean it's wrong for us
tial fulfillment of Psalm 2. They could find to pray that we'll be spared from harm or
encouragement in knowing that God’s plan harassment, but only that the advancement
was being realized, not only as it pertained of God's Word is of primary importance.
to Christ, but even in the hostility directed Recognizing the power of the One they
against Christ’s followers. Our prayers could addressed, recalling the fulfillment of His
certainly use a larger injection of Scripture. promises, requesting boldness to spread His
Confidence in God will increase as we recall Word while releasing those who opposed
the many times He has come through on His them into God’s hands – nearly 20 centuries
promises. later, do our prayers sound anything like
Further instruction is seen in the content this one? How much of this prayer can be
of their prayer. They begin, not with re- found in ours?

1 See 1:24-25, where believers prayed for 2 The verb is ephorao, used only by Luke (here and
guidance in choosing a replacement for Judas. in Luke 1:25 by Elisabeth).

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