Unstoppable! 'What to Do When Threatened' — Acts 4:23-24

Sunday, March 3, 2024

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: "O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them..."
— Acts 4:23-24 NLT

Key Thought

In the face of threats, what should Jesus' followers do? They should get together, pray, and seek the intervention of the "Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them..." While human threats are real, can be severe, and will sometimes even lead to martyrdom, turning to the Lord for help leads to deliverance, power, and assurance. What made this approach to threats against believers so powerful in the early church was that "all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer." They were unified in calling on the Lord!

Today's Prayer

O God, our eternal and almighty Father, you love us and call us to follow your ways. Please deliver my brothers and sisters who are facing hostile threats from those who oppose Jesus and his Good News. Give them tangible signs of your presence to assure them of your help. Holy Spirit, help them overcome their doubts. Father, I also pray for myself and for all who do not face immediate persecution but live in a world growing increasingly hostile to faith in Jesus. We want to be bold, yet kind and respectful, as we defend our faith in Jesus in today's world. I ask for guidance, help, and assurance, in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 4:10, 30; 1 Corinthians 4:20
  • 1 Peter 3:15-16

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 4:23-24 NLT — As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: "O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them..."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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