Pray For Power In A Time of Weakness

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31

After being brought on trial for the healing of the lame man at the gate call Beautiful, Peter and John return to the assembly and give a report of what happened and how they were told not to speak in Jesus name again. The Church’s reaction was to go to prayer!

Our prayers are most effective when we are honest. After a short time of being Spirit filled and empowered, they have come to a time wherein they are feeling weak and insecure. The leader of the Church, Peter, had been threatened and was left discouraged and the rest of the church followed suit. So instead of choosing to cave in and become a secret society, they prayed that they might receive power and courage again continuing the momentum that the church had started with.

What was their prayer? They prayed Psalms chapter two. They acknowledged the seriousness of the threats, their weakness and lack of power to withstand the opposition and carry on the Gospel. They were honest about the need to be refilled with the Spirit understanding that sometimes fear and despair can fill their heart where God once had the fullness. The early believers never denied the reality of the world and had to admit that they were not strong enough within themselves to tackle such a formidable foe. They knew the devil was behind it all! But they also knew the anointed Son of God and submitted themselves to his authority and power.

As they prayed the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. After this they felt encouraged and empowered to continue in the fellowship and went out winning more souls and performing more miracles than before. They believed that “If God is for them, then who could be against them.” (Romans 8:31)

The lesson we need to learn is that God has given us the same Holy Spirit to empower us for witness and service. There is an anti-Christian movement gaining ground in our country today and only a church that is filled with the Holy Spirit can stand against the spirit of the age. Sometimes we feel “Strong in the Lord and the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10) We feel confident in our witness. But then there are those moments where we feel insecure, unequipped  and powerless. It is then that we have to be honest with God, praying to be filled  again and empowered for service. Jesus said that “Your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.” Ask and you shall receive!

Pastor Robby