And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness . . . And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:29 and 31
REFLECT
I grew up in a small city in Alabama, and our family often ate "grits", a traditional southern food, that was one of my favorite dishes! I highly recommend eating a bowl of grits if you ever visit any of the southern states.
Another definition of grit is to exemplify courage and determination, despite difficulty. It takes true grit, courage, boldness, and conviction to preach God’s Word in this day. We must pray for our pastors, teachers, and Bible study leaders in our churches to have grit as they teach the Word to the congregation.
Acts 4:29 is a pivotal moment in the New Testament where the early Christians, after being arrested for preaching, pray for boldness and empowerment to continue speaking God's Word amidst opposition.
They acknowledge the threats they face from religious leaders and seek God's strength to remain steadfast in their mission. This verse reflects their reliance on God's sovereignty and their commitment to proclaiming the Gospel despite the risks they encounter. The prayer emphasizes unity among believers and the importance of prayer in navigating life's uncertainties, showcasing a community mindset and a deep faith in God's guidance.
Acts 4: 29-31 also reminds us that we have a powerful foe who will do everything in his power to hinder the proclamation of the Gospel. As Christians, we face this challenge every day of our lives. The world does not want to hear the truth of God’s Word. The voices of “culture” tell us that it is “unloving” to call sin, sin, and to insist that the only path to eternal life and truth is found in Christ alone.
As we face the forces of darkness in this world that want to obstruct the light of the Gospel, we turn to God in prayer as the Apostles did and ask that God would give us the strength to speak with "grit", courage and boldness. The prayer demonstrates unity among believers and the importance of praying with and for one another in navigating life's uncertainties.
The truth of God’s Word has always been challenged by the forces of evil in this world. We see this in the book of Genesis when Satan asks Eve that terrible question, “Has God really said…” Satan wants to cast doubt on the truth of God’s Word. He wants to undermine our faith wherever and however he can. The apostle Paul serves as a primary example of “GRIT” in his preaching. In Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul requests prayer "that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." Here, Paul underscores the importance of boldness in his ministry, even in the face of imprisonment.
“GRIT” and boldness in preaching is closely linked to the work of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 4:31, after the believers prayed, "the place where they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." The filling of the Holy Spirit equips Pastors with the courage and clarity needed to proclaim the Gospel without compromise.
“GRIT” and boldness in preaching is closely linked to the work of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 4:31, after the believers prayed, "the place where they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." The filling of the Holy Spirit equips Pastors with the courage and clarity needed to proclaim the Gospel without compromise.
Boldness is essential for pastors because the message of the Gospel often confronts cultural norms and human sinfulness. In 2 Timothy 1:7-8, Paul reminds Timothy, "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord." Pastors are called to stand firm in the truth, regardless of societal pressures or personal fears. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, demonstrated fortitude and perseverance in Acts 7:55-56 even though he was aware of the potential consequences.
Let us RISE UP and proclaim the Word of the Lord with "GRIT" and boldness to a world that so desperately needs the truth and grace of Christ. Preaching with courage does not give license to be arrogant or insensitive; we pray for pastors to balance courage and boldness with love and humility, ensuring that teachings are both truthful and compassionate. Just as the Apostle Paul instructs in Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Would you please pray with us now?
Lord, You are our strength and our shield. We lift up our pastors, teachers, and leaders within our congregations that are teaching the Word of God. We ask that they would have grit as they are determined to preach the whole truth of scripture, knowing that every verse is breathed by You and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. I pray for pastors to be determined to boldly call for the confession of sins and a faith-filled response to Your amazing grace, walking in salvation through Christ Jesus.
With Great Expectation,
Gwen Bradley
National Liaison for Prayer Mobilization and Partnerships
Southeast National Area Leader
