Prayer and the gift of the Holy Spirit
by Pastor Fraser Pearce
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When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).
Read Acts 4:23–31
Sometimes, we can be tempted to think that God’s church is built up primarily by what we do. Now, it is true that God works through us to spread the good news about Jesus and gives his people the boldness to speak his word. But the Bible shows us how it is God who takes the initiative in bringing people to faith and keeps his people in faith by his Holy Spirit.
We have an example of this in today’s reading. Most of what we read is a prayer by the early Christians to God – it is a prayer about what God has done and will do, rather than what human beings have done and will do to build God’s kingdom. In the prayer, the people raise their voices to God and remember before God what he has said in his word about Jesus – including the way that Jesus would face opposition not just from his own people but from people of all nations. After they pray this, they ask God to give his servants boldness in speaking his word, as he does signs and wonders through his disciples in Jesus’ name.
It is then that the place where they are gathered is shaken, and they are filled with the Holy Spirit and speak God’s word with boldness. The people experience that it is God who gives the power to build his kingdom as the word about Jesus transforms people’s lives, and they share in all the good things God has given them.
God gives you the freedom to come to him in prayer. He has given you the Holy Scriptures so that you can hear about all he has done for his people in the past and all that he is doing through Jesus now. As you learn more about who God is, you can ask him to give his church all that is needed so that his people speak about Jesus with boldness.
Heavenly Father, your word tells us about Jesus and your great love. Please give the people of your church boldness in speaking your word while you do your great deeds of healing in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Fraser Pearce grew up in Sydney and has served as a pastor in Melbourne, Bendigo and Adelaide. He is married to Margaret, and they have four children, ranging in age from 15 to 24. Fraser enjoys being with family and friends, listening to (and playing) music and reading.
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