Praying In The Spirit

Acts 4:23-29

The disciples knew that the Jewish leaders had instigated Jesus’ crucifixion. After deliberate attempts to intimidate them and repeated threats if they continued to preach in Jesus’ name, they were released. Clearly, the only reason they were released was God’s protection.

“And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.” (Acts 4:23)

Sometimes, I am offended by the attitude of a football player who successfully scores a touchdown because the little celebratory dance they put on demonstrates an attitude of “look how good I did.” The basketball player who shoots the full length of the court at the last second in a desperate attempt to win the game, with little hope of success, and scores the winning basket demonstrates a different attitude. He knows it was not his skill that won the game, and he is just thankful it went through the hoop.

The Apostles had a very similar attitude about what had happened. When there seemed to be no hope, victory was snatched from the very jaws of defeat, and they would repeat what happened to convince themselves it really happened. Can you imagine their description? There was no pride in having won, just thankfulness, that resulted in a prayer of praise.

“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” (Acts 4:24-28)

The rulers did not oppose the man being healed, in fact they probably thought it was a good thing. Their opposition was wholly against Jesus Christ. They did not want anything to glorify him because it would imply they were wrong in what they were doing. Their pride would not allow them to admit that. The rulers were not alone in their actions, as they recognized, with both Roman and other nationalities serving in the Roman army and being in the crowd when Jesus was crucified. The disciples understood that the action was not directed against them personally, although they were personally at risk. It is something we need to understand as well.

Many times things happen that we had no expectation of, and that make no sense to us. I am sure that the tsunami in Japan makes very little sense to the Japanese people. If we understand that God knew about it before it happened and planned for it, it is far easier to accept those things. The persecution and crucifixion of Jesus was such an event. The disciples were initially devastated by the death and burial of Christ, but imagine the joy when he was seen afterward. Even more importantly, our salvation depended on his death, so while it made no sense to them at the time, it was essential.

When the Holy Spirit is in control, the focus will always be on Christ, not the person or even the Holy Spirit, according to John 16:13-14. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” He changes our attitude and our prayers change accordingly. The disciples did not pray that the persecution would end, but that God would empower them to not yield to fear.

“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30)

In the story of Naaman, the leper, Naaman expected the prophet to do some impressive act . II Kings 5:11 describes his expectation. “But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.” Instead, Elisha didn’t even come talk to him, just sending his servant to tell him to go dip in the Jordan seven times. Naaman was not impressed with Elisha.

After he was healed, he was very aware it was God who healed him, not Elisha. II Kings 5:15 describes it. “And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.”

The disciples prayed that the power of God would be seen in a similar way in their lives, that Christ would get all the glory. One reason many of us do not receive the power we want is explained in James 4:3, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." Our intent is to glorify ourselves rather than Christ.