Acts 4:24-26: “So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
It is very important to take special notice of the contents of this prayer. This is the first persecution that the church ever experienced and their first prayer concerning persecution. What did they pray for? They did not pray for the persecution to stop. They didn’t pray for change in the religious system or government so that they could preach the Word without fear of persecution. Rather they prayed for boldness (Acts 4:29), so they could continue preaching the Word regardless of what anyone else did.
Satan’s ultimate purpose in persecution is to stop the spread of God’s Word. Even if we don’t stop speaking the Word, if we divert the bulk of our energies into social or political reform, then persecution has had a negative impact.
You can read more of Andrew’s thoughts in his free online commentary here
Momentary Lapse Of Sanity 