June 22 — "Prayer, Power, and Holy Disruption"

 

Today's Reading: Acts 4:23-37

Prayer. It’s where everything begins.

When the early church faced opposition and threats, they didn’t rely on their own strength or strategy. No backup plan. No retreat. Instead, they prayed—fervently, desperately—asking God for courage, power, and boldness to press on. Prayer, at its core, is a surrendering of our own limitations, a recognition that God alone equips us for what He calls us to do. They didn’t ask for safety or an easier road. They asked for boldness—an unwavering determination to proclaim the Gospel, no matter the cost.

And when they prayed? God shook the very ground beneath them. Their comfort zones shattered, their routine disrupted, their hearts awakened. The Holy Spirit rushed in, filling them—not just with peace or guidance—but with supernatural courage. Jesus promised the Spirit as our Helper, our Counselor, our source of power (John 14:26, Acts 1:8). He’s the one who emboldens us, making even the most timid voice ring with conviction and clarity in the face of opposition.

The pattern is clear: Prayer opens the door. The Spirit fills the room. Boldness steps forward.

So when doubt creeps in, when hesitation silences your witness, when fear whispers that you’re not enough—stop. Pray. Ask the Spirit to fill you. Boldness will come. It’s what He does.

Now, imagine praying in the quiet when suddenly, everything around you begins to tremble. The shaking—the holy disruption—is no accident. Just like the early church, God still shakes His people awake. Not always with literal earthquakes, but with divine disruptions that awaken hearts and call believers to deeper faith. He rattles comfort to reignite calling. He stirs hearts to remind us: I am with you. I am empowering you. You are not alone. Just like in the early church, God’s shaking isn’t meant to destroy—it’s meant to awaken, refine, and empower. When life trembles, it’s often a sign that He’s moving!

May the Lord shake your spirit with the fire of His purpose. May His peace flood your soul. And may you go forth, fearless and full, proclaiming His name with boldness!