We’re continuing to look at the pattern and the content of the first church’s prayers in Acts. In our first look (a few weeks ago) we noticed that they prayed as they waited for God to fulfill his promise of “power” to be His witnesses.
This week we notice that in times of persecution (this is their first experience of persecution for teaching Jesus and for healing in his name) they turned to prayer. And they prayed, not for protection or safety or for a change of heart of the leaders, but for boldness.
Then they experienced the strength of the Holy Spirit in miraculous ways. We will continue to pray for courage and boldness and for clear direction from the Holy Spirit of us at Mimico Baptist.
sermon: Praying for Boldness (Acts 4:23-31) with Rev. David Donaldson
Follow-up Questions
- How can you and we change our default from ‘planning’ to praying?
- How can you pray for safety and protection, or boldness and courage?
- Is there a specific community, work, social place where you need to be bold?
The Source of Boldness
Sometimes when life gets hard, our first reaction is to look for advice, strategies or solutions from familiar sources. We search for answers, make plans and try harder. But the early followers of Jesus showed a different response: they prayed first.
In Acts 4:1-22, Peter and John had just been threatened by powerful leaders because they were sharing the message of Jesus. After being released, they went back to their friends and told them what had happened. The community’s response was simple but powerful: they prayed together.
What stands out is what they prayed for.
They did not ask for their problems to disappear. They did not ask for comfort, safety, or an easier path. Instead, they asked God to help them be bold.
Before making that request, they reminded themselves who God is. They began by calling Him the Sovereign Lord, the Creator of heaven, earth and sea (Acts 4:24). In other words, they started with a big view of God.
That’s important because our prayers often reveal what we truly trust. When pressure comes, do we rely only on our own abilities, or do we remember that God is bigger than the challenges we face?
The Bible repeatedly encourages believers to bring their worries to God:
- Psalm 46:1–2 reminds us that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
- Philippians 4:6–7 tells us not to be anxious but to present our requests to God in prayer.
- Hebrews 4:16 invites us to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence when we need help.
A big view of God produces confidence. A small view of God produces fear.
The story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16 illustrates this beautifully. Even while sitting in prison, they prayed and worshipped God. Their circumstances had not changed, but their trust in God remained strong. They believed God was still at work, even in a difficult situation.
That same confidence appears throughout Scripture:
- Romans 8:28 teaches that God works in all things for the good of those who love Him.
- Joshua 1:9 calls us to be strong and courageous because God is with us.
- Proverbs 3:5 encourages us to trust in the Lord rather than lean on our own understanding.
- Ephesians 6:19–20 shows Paul asking for boldness to share the gospel, not for his chains to be removed.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God’s Spirit gives power, love, and self-discipline—not fear.
When the believers finished praying in Acts 4, God responded. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke God’s word boldly (Acts 4:31).
The lesson is simple: when pressure comes, prayer should not be our last resort—it should be our first response.
Instead of asking only for easier circumstances, we can ask God for wisdom, courage, clarity and the strength to remain faithful. The same Holy Spirit who empowered the early church still empowers believers today.
So the next time life feels uncertain, start where they started: remember who God is, pray boldly and trust Him with what comes next.