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“When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”

Acts 4:31

Reflection

On May 22, 1960, the strongest earthquake ever recorded hit the country of Chile. It measured 9.5 and was so powerful it altered the Earth’s rotation. It also reshaped coastlines and was felt across the entire Pacific Ocean, sending tsunamis that reached as far as the coast of Antarctica. It was one moment of shaking that affected the entire world.

In Acts 4, we find that same kind of moment, though spiritual, and it was far more life changing.

The early church gathered in one place, not with political power, but with singleness of heart and mind. They prayed as one body to God who answered with a seismic move of the Holy Spirit, shaking the very place they gathered. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to speak God’s word with boldness. Their minds were transformed to practice radical generosity. They no longer saw their possessions as something to hold on to but, instead, they saw them as something to give freely for the common good. It was a life-altering move of God.

God is the same today as he was then. He can still move us to experience miraculous moments of change when we come together in agreement. Our unified prayers invite God’s power to act for us, in us, and through us. Our unity doesn’t create the power; it positions us to receive it and see miracles follow when we’re aligned as one community for Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank for the shaking. Shaking us to see what you’re doing, awakening us to hear your voice and feel your power. Shake us again with your Holy Spirit. Let us gather on one accord, praying for your divine power to reshape us into the children you want us to be. Loosen anything in us that keeps us silent, hesitant, or divided. Fill us up with boldness to share your life-changing gospel with strangers and encourage each other to keep the faith. Make our community a place where your power is felt, your love is seen, and your generosity flows. In Christ Jesus name, Amen.

Application Question

Where is God working to shake things in your life so you can feel the power of his Spirit move?