NOTES for Act 4:23-31
Before us is a remarkable example of the prayer of the first Christians. How open their hearts are to the Lord, how directly they call upon their Creator. This is possible because they now belong to Jesus and follow Him, leaving everything impure behind. There is no wall of sin blocking His light from them. In our baptism with the Holy Spirit, the Lord also gives us the opportunity to break down this wall with His help, bringing against it all the joy and exultation of the Resurrection. Yet, whatever happens, a road still lies ahead—a road with obstacles—because “the enemy never sleeps.” And so the apostles, united by the One and made one, bring before the Father what is happening around them and ask for “all boldness” to speak the word of God. They ask this not despite His promise, “Do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you,” but precisely because of it. God's Word is likewise given to us to guide our prayer and strengthen our faith in His power and mercy.