Acts 4:23-32
And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Teaching children to be thankful is one of the most important lessons we can teach. In our day, a good manner is a lost art. If you doubt me, go to a restaurant. It is a rare thing to see a gentleman open the door for others, for women to say thank you, or for hungry patrons to eat with their mouths closed and their elbows off the table. Shall I go on? Manners are an expression of thankfulness.

God allowed Peter and John to be released from prison. When they returned to their fellow believers, how did they respond? With extreme thankfulness! As a believer, I am sometimes guilty of not thanking God properly for answering prayer, because I am so wrapped in my own relief. Their thankfulness quoted and claimed Old Testament scripture promises. They gave the glory to God and did not take the prison release for granted. They also made a request for God to help them with boldness and protection against the threats the high priests made.

I am challenged and humbled by this prayer. It is completely thankful, and the requests are not for selfish desires but for strength to keep obeying Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20). They could have asked for a number of things, but the Lord gave them the Holy Spirit. They were filled so much that the place shook and they were bold for the gospel of Christ. May we also experience this filling and boldness so we can share Christ with others.

Written by Kaye Dee Richards. Kaye Dee lives with her husband Colin in Morrison, CO. They have 4 children, Joshua, Amelia, Victoria, and Julia.

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