Acts 4:23--31 (NRSV)
Prayer after Peter and John's release
After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:
'Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth took their stand,
and the rulers have gathered together
against the Lord and against his Messiah.'
For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:
'Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth took their stand,
and the rulers have gathered together
against the Lord and against his Messiah.'
For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
Reflection
Sovereign Lord was a reference and perhaps a Christian liturgy to address God in all power and might.
The Holy Spirit spoke through David and makes clear the eternal activity of the Spirit acting not only through David but also through many of God's servants and many people throughout history.
David spoke in Psalms of the future Messiah. As the Old Testament is read; one can find an abundance of references to Jesus. This is what makes the Old Testament so amazing to read. You will see Jesus all over it. People, years before Jesus' birth were so accurately being used as a mouthpiece of the Spirit of God and speaking of the salvation and coming Christ.
Just as today we live with the activity of the Holy Spirit prevalent in our lives; through Pentecost the Spirit is active in our lives in the telling of the wonderful gift of salvation given freely to all through Jesus' life, teaching, love, compassion, suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus is present today and forever and the Spirit is always active in our lives as we too are the mouthpiece of God.
Prayer
Lord, use all of my faculties to announce your salvation to all the world... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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