11. Intercessory Prayer for the Persecuted

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Hymns: RHC 332 Moment by Moment 314 Nearer, Still Nearer 338 Show Me Thy Way, O Lord

Acts 4:23-37

23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 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. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Intercessory Prayer for the Persecuted

OUTLINE

  • The Content of Prayer (v23-31)
  • The Efficacy of Prayer (31-37)

INTRODUCTION

Prayer for the Persecuted – Acts 4:23-37. The Pastor James Smith said, “In Christ our Lord we have the uplook, much better than any outlook you need look to no other quarter for help, relief, or comfort. Simply look up! Jesus assures you that His grace is sufficient. You are welcome to it. You are exhorted to have it, to be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. It is sufficient to support you under every tribulation, to help you over every difficulty, to strengthen you for every duty, to mortify every lust, and to fill you with all joy and peace in the Lord. His grace is free, it is durable, it brings salvation. Look not at difficulties, dangers, or thy own weakness; but look to the free, powerful and promised grace of Jesus. Go to His throne of grace, on purpose to receive grace for this day; go everyday, and whenever you fell weak, timid, or cast down. His grace was found sufficient for the early church for Paul, for the martyrs and saints, in the deepest trials, and it will be sufficient for thee. 

He says, “I am the Lord thy God; open wide thy mouth, and I will fill it. Come boldly to the throne of grace, that ye may obtain mercy and find face to help in time of need. Everyone that asketh receiveth.””

This was the experience of the infant church in Jerusalem. Two of their members Peter and John experienced the first persecution. They went about their devotion to God, spending time in prayer at the Temple when God confronted them with a gospel opportunity with a lame man asking for alms at the gate Beautiful.

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

The limbs of the man received strength and he rose up and walked. The man jumped and leaped for joy having understood that Jesus of Nazareth, the living and true God of Israel, healed him, praising God. Peter had the opportunity to preach the resurrected Christ from which 2000 souls were added to the church. This was no small stir. It caught the eyes of the Sanhedrin. And Peter and John were held in custody for one day and were brought before the high priests and elders of Israel, intimidated before being released.

Understand that the situation is very tense for the members of the early church. These men will do anything to keep them from preaching the resurrected Christ. Their Master has been ruthlessly plotted against, betrayed, beaten, scourged and finally crucified. The situation is precarious, dangerous. The Jewish authority in Jerusalem has the arm of flesh at their disposal to inflict harm and pain and even death!

The preaching of Christ was a challenge to their religious authority! The Messiah of the Old Testament is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. This is the contention.

What was the response of Peter and John to the Sanhedrin when they commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus?

Acts 4:19-21 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

The disciples said that their conscience would not allow that the truth be hidden. There was that boldness that came upon them which Luke the write attributed to the Holy Spirit filled them with that boldness and strength.

21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. 23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

What was the response of the congregation of the infant church when Peter and John returned to them? They had a time of prayer and worship. You notice that the tension was very high. Peter and John had been man handled. What was the thing the infant church did when persecution came? They prayed!

The godly response to any trouble in the Christian’s life is prayer and worship. Were there lots of fears in their hearts? Surely, they stilled every storm that threatened God’s peace and joy in their hearts as they committed themselves to Jesus’ care.

You recall last week, we spoke concerning what Christ said concerning the Christian life. When we are doing the will of God in our lives, persecution can come!

What do you do when afflictions come? The infant church held a prayer meeting. They went on their knees. They sought the wisdom and power of God to solve their problems. We would see how God strengthened them to do His will!

  • The Content of Prayer (v23-31)
  • The Efficacy of Prayer (32-37)

(1) The Content of Prayer (v23-31)

23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: will we remember the Name of the LORD our God in the time of our distress? When we are distressed and troubled, we are to pray and look to God. 

This psalm tells us the way to find help so that we may like the psalmist affirm our faith in God – He is Wise Maker and Unfailing Keeper.

The lifting of the eyes is a gesture of worship as the pilgrims approach God. It is an act of acknowledging God, a most wonderful prayer posture of a trusting heart without hassle. 

Psalm 121:1-2 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

He would lift up his eyes heavenward to the hills. The mountain and hill are the symbols of stability. This imagery provides the picture of God as a most reliable helper. The petitioner lifts up his eyes to the mountains, but above the mountains, enthroned in heaven is the LORD (the name of the God of Israel), who protects Israel. 

This psalm tells us the way to find help so that we may like the psalmist affirm our faith in God – He is Wise Maker and Unfailing Keeper.

The lifting of the eyes is a gesture of worship as the pilgrims approach God. It is an act of acknowledging God, a most wonderful prayer posture of a trusting heart without hassle. 

The lifting up of the eyes is a renewal of trust in God and in Him alone. The traveler begins by lifting his eyes to the hills, in the back of his mind, he contemplates the dangers of the journey of life that lies before him and is led to ask, “Where does my help come from?” 

His reply is “My helper comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. The lifting up of the eyes is also a praying posture of the saint. Is this your habit?

Safety and confidence in the LORD! It is a picture the sovereign guardian care of the LORD over His people. The word “help” if you look in the Thesaurus gives the various shades of meaning – it means “assistance, aid, support, relief”, it means “comfort, benefit, advantage, a good thing”. It also means to assist or deliver from suffering or assistance that relieve from difficulty.” 

2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 

The LORD indeed is our help. But how often when we evaluate how as Christians we face trial and testing, invariably we find ourselves looking for help everywhere other than God. But the psalmist in verse 2 is affirming that the origin and authorship (BDB) of his help is from God this is seen by the interpretation of the phrase “cometh from” in the original its from two prepositions “from and “with” or beside”.

Who is the author and origin of your help? When we come to worship every Lord’s day, we are in the cooperative will of God, where we determine in our hearts as the psalmist that our help is from the LORD, where we are able to receive God’s direction and guidance through His word and in prayer. 

Therefore, in the face of uncertainty and crossroads in life, the psalmist here affirms his faith in the LORD, His God, here is emphasized the covenantal relationship. A relationship based on unbrokenable promise!

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 

The psalmist David was quoted when he spoke of the enemies overwhelming the holy city. 

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 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. 

The gracious answer God gave to this address, not in word, but in power. God gave them a sign of the acceptance of their prayers (v31): the place was shaken where they were assembled together; there was a strong mighty wind, such as that when the Spirit was poured out upon them (Acts 2:1-2), which shook the house, which was now their house of prayer. 

This shaking of the place was designed to strike an awe upon them, to awaken and raise their expectations, and to give them a sensible token that God was with them of a truth: and perhaps it was to put them in mind of that prophecy (Haggai 2:7), I will shake all nations, and will fill this house with glory.

Haggai 2:7 (KJV) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

This was to show them what reason they had to fear God more, and then they would fear man less. He that shook this place could make the hearts of those who threatened His servants thus to tremble, for He cuts off the spirit of princes, and is terrible to the kings of the earth. The place was shaken, that their faith might be established and unshaken. 

God gave them greater degrees of His Spirit, which was what they prayed for. Their prayer, without doubt, was accepted, for it was answered: They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than ever; by which they were not only encouraged, but enabled to speak the word of God with boldness, and not to be afraid of the proud and haughty looks of men. 

The Holy Ghost taught them not only what to speak, but how to speak. Those that were endued habitually with the powers of the Holy Ghost had yet occasion for fresh supplies of the Spirit, according as the various occurrences of their service were. [Matthew Henery]

(2) The Efficacy of Prayer (v31-37)

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Receive God’s favour and blessing!

They abounded in charity, so that, in effect, they had all things common; for (v34) there was not any among them that lacked, but care was taken for their supply. Those that had been maintained upon the public charity were probably excluded when they turned Christians, and therefore it was fit that the church should take care of them. 

As there were many poor that received the gospel, so there were some rich that were able to maintain them, and the grace of God made them willing. Those that gather much have nothing over, because what they have over they have for those who gather little, that they may have no lack (2 Cor. 8:14-15). The gospel hath laid all things common, not so that the poor are allowed to rob the rich, but so that the rich are appointed to relieve the poor. [Matthew Henry]

Filled with God’s love, sacrificial giving to support another. 

There was spiritual unity. There was sharing of material goods. 

The work of the gospel went on unabated despite the opposition.

CONCLUSION

  • The Content of Prayer (v23-31)
  • The Efficacy of Prayer (31-37)