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prayers of a gospel congregation
Acts 4:23-31 (JDV)
Acts 4:23 After they were let go, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Acts 4:24 When they heard this, they lifted up their voices with the same passion to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the sky, the land, and the sea, and everything in them.
Acts 4:25 You said through the Sacred Breath, by the mouth of our ancestor David your servant: Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things?
Acts 4:26 The kings of the land take their stand and the rulers assemble at the same place against the Lord and against his Messiah.
Acts 4:27 “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your devoted servant Jesus, whom you anointed,
Acts 4:28 to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place.
Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, give attention to their threats, and grant that your slaves may speak your word with all boldness,
Acts 4:30 while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and marvels are performed through the name of your devoted servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Sacred Breath and began to speak the word of God boldly.
prayers of a gospel congregation
The prayers mentioned in this passage serve as a pattern for the prayers of a congregation which is focused on reaching its community with the gospel.
They are scriptural prayers. They show how God dealing with the congregation is consistent with how he has dealt with the faithful in the past.
They are relevant prayers. They reflect on what is currently happening — good or bad.
They are missionary prayers, seeking boldness to obey the Great Commission.
They are effective prayers. They change things because God wants to change things through them.
Lord, make us people who pray these kinds of prayers. Make our churches gospel congregations.
Devotions 