Day 35 Reflection: “Fill Us with Boldness to Declare Your Word”
Key Text: Acts 4:31
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” — Acts 4:31 (NIV)
In Acts 4, the apostles Peter and John had just been released from the Sanhedrin after being arrested for preaching about Jesus and healing a man at the temple gate. Instead of retreating in fear, they gathered with fellow believers and prayed — not for safety or escape, but for boldness to continue preaching God’s Word despite the threats.
This passage reminds us that boldness is a gift from the Holy Spirit, granted to those who seek to declare the truth of the Gospel without compromise.
Understanding Boldness in the Christian Context
Boldness is not arrogance or recklessness. It is:
- The spiritual courage to speak truth when it is unpopular.
- The confidence in God’s authority even when human authority tries to silence us.
- The clarity and conviction to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ no matter the cost.
Why Do We Need Boldness Today?
Just as in the early church, today’s believers face:
- Opposition to biblical truth in culture and media,
- Fear of rejection or persecution,
- Spiritual lethargy or complacency within the Church.
Many shy away from declaring the Word due to fear of offending others or being isolated. But like the early disciples, we must ask God to fill us anew with the Holy Spirit, that we might declare His Word with power, grace, and boldness.
Lessons from Acts 4:31
- Prayer Precedes Power
The believers prayed before they were filled with boldness. If we want boldness, we must seek God in prayer. - The Holy Spirit is the Source of Boldness
It is not human strength that gives us courage, but the infilling of the Spirit (see 2 Timothy 1:7). - Boldness is for Proclaiming the Word
Boldness is not an end in itself—it is given so we can declare the gospel and testify about Christ (see Acts 1:8). - God Confirms His Word
The shaking of the place was a divine affirmation. When we ask for boldness to preach, God often confirms His presence through signs, conviction, or open doors.
Supporting Bible References
- Proverbs 28:1 – “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
- Ephesians 6:19-20 – Paul’s prayer request: “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…”
- 2 Corinthians 3:12 – “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.”
- Jeremiah 1:7-8 – “Do not be afraid… for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord.”
- Matthew 10:19-20 – “Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say…”
Prayer Focus for Day 35
“Lord, as You did in the early Church, shake the ground beneath us! Fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit. Remove fear, shame, and complacency. Let Your Word burn in our hearts like fire, and grant us boldness to declare Your truth in love, in our generation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Prayer Points:
- Lord, we thank You that you did not leave us without the Holy Spirit. (John 14:16).
- Lord, we thank You that the Word of God which was in the beginning is still with us today as a witness to Christ Jesus. (John 1:1).
- We thank You Lord that You have chosen us as Your vessels to declare the word of God to the world. (Acts 9:15-16).
- Lord, forgive us in any way we have not preached Your word as commanded in Jesus’ name. (Mark 16:15).
- Lord, give all our youths the grace to preach the gospel with boldness in Jesus’ name.
- As God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love, power and sound mind, every member of our DCC shall continue to walk in power and grace to preach the gospel without fear in Jesus’ name. (2 Timothy 1:7).
- Father, in this new year, we receive more insight to Your word so we can preach it with power and boldness in Jesus’ name.
- As the joy of the Lord is our strength, Father we receive strength to preach Your word with joy in Jesus’ name. (Nehemiah 8:10).
- Father, all the evangelism department members in our DCC shall receive fresh empowerment and strength to preach Your word with boldness, in the name of Jesus.
- Father, we claim fresh ideas and wisdom for all the evangelism departments in our DCC to bring souls into Your vineyard in this year in Jesus’ name.
- Lord, we command that the eyes of understanding of all our DCC members are open to the importance of evangelism in Jesus’ name. (Ephesians 1:17-18).
- Father, as we preach the gospel in 2025 in unity and peace, let souls be added to all our churches in Jesus’ name. (Acts 2:42-47).
- O God, we command that our prayer life in 2025 is empowered, and we break down all barriers that are preventing people to preach and to hear the gospel in Jesus’ name.
- Lord, we thank You for all the souls that will hear and accept the gospel in 2025 in Jesus’ name.
- We thank You Lord, in 2025 CAC Nigeria and overseas shall be known for world evangelism mission in Jesus’ name.
