Acts 4:23–31

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said. ^24*When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: “Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them! ^25*By means of the Holy Spirit you spoke through our ancestor David, your servant, when he said:

‘Why were the Gentiles furious;

why did people make their useless plots?

^26*The kings of the earth prepared themselves,

and the rulers met together

against the Lord and his Messiah.’

^27*For indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together in this city with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Jesus, your holy Servant, whom you made Messiah. ²⁸They gathered to do everything that you by your power and will had already decided would happen. ²⁹And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness. ³⁰Stretch out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”

³¹When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.