Thoughts for the Day

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. They said, ‘What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.’ So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

After they 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, '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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Peter and John have been hauled up before the Sanhedrin Council because of their teaching and the healing of the lame man outside one of the city gates. The ruling body can see that the man who has sat at the gate for many years is now upright and walking. However, their plan to demand the disciples stop, doesn't work. Peter stands firm, and on their return home, their first action is to pray for courage to keep on disseminating the good news of Jesus Christ despite the danger they face. The result is that those present are filled with the Holy Spirit and made bold enough to continue the work.

This incident has made me question our prayer life today. How often do we ask God to act - to solve the situation? "Bring peace to the world" we cry rather optimistically, before getting on with the day's tasks. So what's wrong with this? First, a request for anything starts with us. We need to bring peace to our world? Are we still at loggerheads with our next door neighbour; do we have negative thoughts about someone? If billions of Christians did this what changes could occur in the world.

Second, when we pray for God's help, how long do we continue? Prayer needs to be carried out extensively day after day - for months and years - allowing our prayers to adapt and change. A daft example might be: We ask God to give us a blueberry and chocolate gateaux. After a while when it doesn't happen, we might change the prayer to ask for a good recipe, and finally our prayer might ask God for confidence to make a simple chocolate cake!

Lord Jesus Christ,
may our prayer requests be realistic,
and may they be serious.
Help us to gain wisdom, strength and bravery
to play our part in helping to fulfill them,
rather than expecting instant solutions,
remembering that You said:
"Whatever you ask in my name I will do!"
Amen.