Prayer that makes God smile
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. -Acts 4:31 (NIV)
I think God smiles when we "get it". When I read this verse about how God gave an immediate, affirmative sign that He was listening, then empowered the disciples precisely as they had prayed, I had to backtrack and re-read the words of this prayer that had elicited such a positive response.
The prayer was offered up by the Jerusalem church upon hearing the report of Peter and John after they had been detained overnight, commanded not to preach the gospel, and threatened with dire consequences if they did so. The actual prayer begins in verse 24. I noticed several things about it that struck me as distinctive.
They worshiped and acknowledged the power and sovereignty of God.
They remembered scriptural truth and properly applied it as precedent and predictive pattern for their current situation.
They recalled God's past faithfulness and his power to orchestrate outcomes according to His will.
When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.'
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen." -Acts 4:24-28 (NIV)
When they made their requests, it is worth noting what they did NOT ask for, especially considering the circumstances. They did not request God's vengeance on their persecutors. Neither did they ask for deliverance, safety, or comfort. What did they seek?
They prayed for boldness and courage to speak the truth in the face of danger.
They asked God to validate what they were doing by displaying His power in supernatural ways.
They recognized that all of this belonged to God (notice the repeated use of "your") and acknowledged their dependence on Him.
"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” -Acts 4:29-30 (NIV)
This “prayer template” convicted me because I spend an inordinate percentage of my prayers dwelling on circumstances and seeking a path that makes things simpler and easier for myself. I believe that the Spirit cleans up my ramblings to make them presentable before the throne of God (Romans 8:26-27). And I am confident that the best version of the godly desires of my heart rises up as a fragrant offering to Him (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 8:3-4). But I want to be more focused on Him and His Kingdom, less on me.
LORD, extend my vision. Deepen my faith and commitment. Embolden my heart. Purify my motives. Empower my efforts. Give me courage to risk much. Be honored by the result, whether or not I ever witness it. I want to make You smile.