Catrina M. Blount

I just finished my broadcast on blogtalkradio, and something hit me:  I am encouraged to pray a new prayer. For many years I have prayed that certain things would happen in my life.  I have prayed for deliverance, I have prayed for change.  I have prayed about my problems, my fears, my concerns.  But tonight I say to you again, I am encouraged to pray a new prayer.

You may wonder what that prayer is, maybe you don't care.  But just in case, I want to share the context of it so that maybe it will be birthed in your spirit as well.

Let's take a look at Acts, Chapter 4, beginning with verse 29.  "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of your holy servant Jesus."  (Acts 4:29-30).

This is one prayer in the bible that I don't think I've ever prayed.  Even though I've asked the Lord to empower my preaching and teaching, and to anoint my writing, I don't think I've ever asked in quite this way.  And when you think about the fact that the apostles prayed like this after they had been commanded to stop preaching in the name of Jesus, it is even more remarkable. 

How many times have we come back from opposition with a prayer that we may be bolder than ever before?  Have we asked the Lord to work through us with signs and wonders, extending His hand to those who are in need?

These apostles put the opposition they faced in God's hands and prayed that they would be able to continue the work with "all confidence" meaning they did not want to slack off at all - they wanted to intensify their work, knowing it was opposed.

I want to encourage you tonight to begin to pray this prayer.  Ask the Lord to let you speak with all confidence, and extend His hand with signs and wonders that confirm the Word.  He wants to use us for His glory!  When we begin to pray in agreement with His will for  us, I know that miracles will take place all around us.

Be encouraged to believe God in a new way that all confidence will be yours and you can step forward to be counted for the cause of Christ.