Big prayers

In verses 19 and 20, the word bold is used twice. The early church was characterized not only by prayer but by bold prayer. They were winsome and loving, but they were not afraid to be politically incorrect. They were bold because they knew the risen Lord, and that knowledge fueled intense prayers. They asked God for big things, and they asked him for strategic things: that their communities would be taken for Christ, that their churches would be unified, that their leaders would be empowered. If we follow their example, we will be diligently and persistently asking God to bless our pastors, to empower all of his servants, to spread the gospel throughout America and the world, and to make us bold and unafraid. There’s a big difference between praying, “Lord, please help me find a parking place at the mall,” and praying, “Lord, send me into your world unafraid and unashamed to declare your goodness and grace through Jesus.” Our prayers should major on the latter. — Invisible War, The: What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare (Chip Ingram)