praying for boldness

Good morning all,
Our reading from Acts shows us two important things: the first is the relationship with God and the second is the relationship within the community of faith. Peter and John have just gotten out of prison for preaching the good news boldly under threat of punishment, so what do they do, they pray for boldness. Obviously God has already given them that gift, but they pray for boldness so they would keep preaching fearlessly and honestly. They know that all their gifts come from God, so they ask for more strength to do God's will.

They don't just pray alone; as soon as they are free they naturally seek out their community so they might all encourage each other. That community wasn't just people who went to church together and talked over coffee. The church was a community that shared everything. People sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need to the point that there wasn't any need in the community. That depth of community is a real challenge to me because giving up my possessions is scary. Perhaps equally scary is the idea of giving up my independence, the idea of being so bound in community that I look first to the community and then afterwards to my needs and desires. Whenever I read this passage I feel challenged to recommit to the community and a bit guilty because my commitment doesn't come close to what I see in this passage. I also feel a longing for that kind of life.

Acts 4:23-37

23After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, 25it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant: ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers have gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

32Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). 37He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.