There are going to be times when you know you should say something, but you just do not feel bold enough to say it.
I’ve had plenty of those moments. Maybe you have too. You want to talk about Jesus, share what God has done in your life, or say something you know is true, but fear starts getting in the way. What if they think I’m weird? What if they reject me? What if I say the wrong thing?
The followers of Jesus in the Book of Acts knew that feeling too. They were sharing a message that a lot of people did not want to hear, and they were facing real opposition because of it.
So they prayed.
Acts 4:29 says, “Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word.”
I love that they did not pretend to be fearless. They went straight to God and asked Him for the courage they needed.
That is a good reminder for me, because I can put a lot of pressure on myself to somehow become bolder on my own. But I do not have to manufacture courage. I can ask God for it.
Acts 4:31 tells us what happened next: “When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”
God gave them what they needed to do what He was asking them to do.
If fear of rejection has kept you quiet, maybe the prayer is not, “Lord, make this easy.” Maybe it is simply, “Lord, give me boldness.”
You do not have to feel naturally brave. The Spirit of God can give you courage when it is time to speak.