In Acts 4 we see the account of Peter and John being arrested
after preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people who came to them after
the miraculous healing of the lame man who used to beg at the temple gate. They
were brought to the high priest, the same one who had Jesus put to death. Peter
and John spoke to them with such confidence that it was obvious that they had
been with Jesus.
13 Now as they observed
the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were
uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to
recognize them as having been with Jesus. 14 And
seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say
in reply. Acts 4:13
The high priest, and those with him, were left speechless, especially
since the lame man, who had been lame since birth, was standing there with them,
obviously healed.
They couldn’t deny the miracle, but they forbid them
from speaking or teaching at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John assured
them that they couldn’t stop speaking about what they had seen and heard, and
after they were threatened some more, they were released.
They went to their people and prayed. They glorified God,
acknowledged that Jesus had been killed in that same city, according to what
God had predestined to occur, and then they prayed for more boldness.
29 And now, Lord, take note of
their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with
all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to
heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your
holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed,
the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were
all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word
of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31.
The words “confidence” and “boldness” in these passages of Scripture
are from the Greek word parrésia. You can read more about that in my two blogs
God’s Freedom of Speech Definition and The Parrésia Anointing, but it is that
darkness-piercing, deception-shattering type of anointing we want to carry with
us to set the captives free wherever we go.
With that in mind, here is a prayer based off the prayer of
those early disciples, asking for the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus to
accompany us to do His will this resurrection season.
Resurrection Season Prayer
This coming season, from now through Resurrection Day, March
31st, I ask Lord God, that You draw us into Your presence, and while
we’re there, give us the confidence and boldness that comes from being with
Jesus. This season, and beyond, give us the determination to speak, to testify
in the Name of Jesus. (Acts 4:13, 20).
I bind the power of all intimidation and threats. They shall
not prevail over us. We pray together of one accord, with a united and
unwavering heart, to You, O Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea
and all that is in them. You are the Creator of all things, and we submit
ourselves to You and Your will. (2 Timothy 1:7, Acts 4:24, Psalm 86:11,
Revelation 4:11, Matthew 6:10).
Lord Jesus, You laid aside Your glory to come to earth as
one of us. And You suffered the end result of the threats of those who mocked You,
ridiculed You, hated You, didn’t believe in You, shamed You, and then tortured
and killed You. You suffered for us, to bear our sin on the cross, to bring us
into Your Kingdom, Your Kingdom of Light. To be Your ambassadors, Your
representatives, Your witnesses here and now, to give record and testimony of
all You have done for us. And God has highly exalted You and given You a name
which is above every other name. (Acts 4:25-28, Colossians 1:13, 2 Corinthians 5:20,
Acts 1:8).
So now, Lord, I ask that You grant us, Your bond-servants,
to speak Your Word with all confidence and boldness, with parrésia, with Your
anointing. The anointing on Your Word, and from Your Spirit, that removes all
obstacles, that pierces the atmosphere with Your Light and Truth. (Acts 4:29).
Let the anointing be released by our presence (Your presence
in us) and our words (Your Words) to pierce the darkness and shatter deception
and confusion. Let it remove blinders from minds so the Light of the Glorious
Gospel of Christ shines into the hearts of the people and they believe. Let it bring
every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, freeing the people’s minds,
hearts, and wills from the captivity of the enemy who has them bound in the
kingdom of darkness to do his will. Let this be done in us as well as those we
encounter this season. (2 Corinthians 4:4-6, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, 2 Timothy
2:25-26).
Free them Lord, all those we have contact with, and all
those we pray for this season, from their captivity so they can choose You Lord
Jesus. Let us speak Your Word boldly, confidently, as led by Your Spirit, and let
us carry Your presence to release Your power to save and to heal, while You,
God, extend Your hand to heal and signs and wonders take place in the Name of
Your Son Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:30).
Fill us fresh with Your Holy Spirit, pour out Your Spirit
upon us. Pour out Your Spirit from us, through us, as rivers of living water
flow out of our bellies. Let the earth be filled with the knowledge of the
glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Flood this place and every place
we are during this resurrection season, with the resurrection power of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (Acts 4:31, John 7:38-39, Habakkuk 2:14).
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