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

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Your Plan and Your Power, God!
Devo: Unstoppable!
"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..."
Catch & Release: Fear
Article by Phil Ware
There are a lot of excuses, but they usually all boil down to fear! Phil Ware continues his series on Catch and Release as we seek to have the courage and boldness to share Jesus with others.
They Prayed for Boldness
Article by Rubel Shelly
What would you have prayed for in this circumstance? Under persecution and difficulty, we most often need to pray for boldness instead of protection and ease!
Greater Things: Boldness
Article by Phil Ware
Where can I get a good dose of boldness and power? Phil Ware continues his series on Greater Things from Acts 3-4 and this one focuses on The Boldness Prayer of Acts 4:23-31.
See All 6 Related Resources about Acts 4:23-24

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..."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Make a Joyful Symphony' (Ps. 98:5)
"Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram's horn. Make a joyful symphony..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Job 19:25
"The marrow of Job's comfort lies in that little word "My"-"My Redeemer," and in the fact that the Redeemer lives. Oh! to get hold of a living Christ....."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Francis Frangipane:
"I tell you, if you are serious about wanting to be like Christ, He is going to put you in circumstances where your only true choice is to become like Him."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'What Good Is That?' (Jn. 6:8-9)
"[After Philip said that even wages from months of work wouldn't be sufficient to feed the crowd following Jesus] Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke...."

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.

More Unstoppable!