A gift of boldness

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The Creed

Kyiv Chamber Choir

Today is Monday the 13th of April, in the second week of Easter.

The Kyiv Chamber Choir sing the Creed: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” As I start this prayer today, can I join in with this strong, almost exuberant expression of faith?

2:39

Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 4:23-31

After [Peter and John] were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:

“Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples imagine vain things?

The kings of the earth took their stand,

and the rulers have gathered together

against the Lord and against his Messiah.”

For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servantJesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

5:12

Peter and John have just been released after their arrest for speaking about Jesus in public. As the chief priests released them, they ordered them not to do this again. Has there been a time when others have tried to silence you or perhaps embarrass you when speaking about your faith?

In our reading, the gathered believers prayed the following prayer: “And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness." Can you ask the Lord for a gift of boldness? Imagine for a moment what you might seek to do or say if you were given this gift.

As you listen to the reading again, imagine that you are standing with these early believers. Try to feel their faith and determination to keep sharing their message.

8:03

Acts 4:23-31

After [Peter and John] were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:

“Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples imagine vain things?

The kings of the earth took their stand,

and the rulers have gathered together

against the Lord and against his Messiah.”

For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servantJesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

10:20

‘When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken’. The overwhelming presence of God emboldened the believers, so perhaps spend the remainder of this prayer time by opening your heart to the Lord to let him prepare you for an encounter today.

12:30

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen