actually grew worse) or to destroy the enemies of the gospel. They asked the Lord to give the church power to witness with boldness so that they would glorify the name of Jesus (see Acts 4:29–30). The focus was not on their comfort or even their safety but on the glory of the sovereign God. “Do not pray for easy lives,” said Phillips Brooks. “Pray to be better men and women. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks.” A Christian, angry at what he considered