What Should We Pray For? Acts 4:31

It is true I believe, that the most important part of our prayers is not the requests made but rather the attitude in which we approach our almighty God. Yet when we examine the prayers of the disciples and the early church we find specific, well thought out prayers first searching Scriptures and then asking God to bring order, direction and resolve in their actions and witnessing. In Acts for example, we read that Peter quoting Psalms, addressed his fellow believers and said they must select someone to replace Judas. Then they established qualifications and guidelines and choose two men as the candidates praying that God would lead them to His choice.

How does the pattern that the followers of the Way established then regarding prayer give direction to us now? In Acts 4:29 we find the believers praying, “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” Why did they request boldness? How did God answer their prayer? How do their prayers guide us to the answer of what should we pray for?

Question: What was the size of Jerusalem when the disciples began to follow the command of Christ, beginning their meeting, witnessing and praying?

Answer: It is difficult to know but according to one source Jerusalem would have had a population of roughly 80,000 people at the time of the early church.