Are You Praying for Comfort or Courage? | Acts 4:20-31 | Kevin Queen

Main message: The early church's response to persecution in Acts 4 teaches that prayer should be our first response: prayer connects us to God's power, sustains us in waiting, and fuels bold witness for Jesus.

Key points:

• Miracles are signs that point people to Jesus; salvation is the greatest, eternal miracle.
• Peter and John refuse to stop proclaiming what they've seen and heard (Acts 4:20), modeling bold witness despite intimidation.
• The church responds to threats by praying together—prayer is a first response in Acts, not a last resort.
• Prayer exposes what is slowly killing us, brings God's perspective in waiting/hope deferred (Proverbs 13:12), and invites God to work.
• Two common barriers to bringing things to God are bad theology (thinking God is too busy/doesn't care) and pride; prayerlessness is portrayed as especially contrary to faith.

Scriptures mentioned: Proverbs 13:12, Acts 4 (Acts 4:20, Acts 4:23–24), John 14:6