Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together.(Act 4:25-27)
In the days just after Jesus died and rose again we see Peter praying prophetically. He quotes Psalm 2 as undoubtedly led by the Spirit and speaks of how the whole world will rage against God and His Christ. Brothers and sisters, we are entering into those days of this prophesy finally being fulfilled. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to speak the truth and the Word of God without being ridiculed or threatened. In verse 29 Peter prays on and says “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.”
It is interesting that Peter describes in his prayer, every aspect of society. There is Herod the King, and then there is Pontius Pilate who represents the power of the world. We have the gentiles who are simply the unbelievers in general and then finally the people of Israel who represents all the religious aspects of society. They all come against the Apostles. The nations do indeed rage and the people certainly plot against the Lord and His anointed. These are the days in which we live, these are the beginning of sorrows, the birth pangs if you like.
So, what was the point of Peter’s prayer? What was Peter praying for with such power that the Holy Spirit fell upon them? “And grant unto thy servants, that will all boldness they may speak thy word.” You see the prayer brothers and sisters? You see what Peter truly wanted in times of extreme persecution? He wanted courage and strength and boldness to be unashamed of the Lord and His word and speak the truth in love. He did not pray for deliverance from the world that was out to get them or from the threats of torture and violence they faced daily, He prayed for boldness to stand in that day. And what was the results of such a God pleasing prayer?
A Call To The Remnant 