Remarkable things happened when the early church prayed. The fourth chapter of the book of Acts records just one of those audacious prayers and the nearly unbelievable events that followed a time of very bold prayer.
The threat of opposition was real; the disciples knew they faced the same dangers that had taken the life of Jesus. So they prayed for boldness to speak the gospel truth and for the active healing presence of God to be evident in their midst and in their ministry.
The scripture says that signs and wonders gave evidence of God’s activity in the midst of this new community of followers of Jesus Christ. One of those dramatic signs was the incredible community that formed around Jesus Christ.
“Not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34) is a sign and wonder that we long for in every community. Many sold land and goods, then brought the proceeds and laid it at the disciples’ becomes impossible. Why should we imagine it is different with God?
In prayer, we need to speak whatever truth is in us: pain and grief, fear and disappointments, yearnings, and desire, questions and doubt, hope and faith, failure and weakness, praise and thanks, despair and sorrow, anger and, yes, even hatred.
This is an excerpt from a book Soul Feast by Marjorie J. Thompson. If you would like to buy this book please click here.