Shaken by Power
- Bishop Keith Butler
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)
The early church understood something the modern church often forgets: Faith-filled, unified prayer moves heaven and shakes the earth. Acts 4:31 happened after the church had just faced threats from the government, which had legally crucified Jesus. Amid this opposition, the disciples didn’t pray for safety or retreat. Instead, they prayed for boldness. And what happened? The place was shaken. This was no ordinary prayer meeting—it was a response to faith-filled intercession.
The place was shaken because God was pleased. The Holy Spirit stirred in their midst. The disciples weren’t just praying quietly; they were united in spirit, speaking the Word together, and engaging in powerful corporate worship. The result? An outpouring of the Holy Ghost that empowered them to preach without fear.
One key request in their prayer was for greater anointing—an increase in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s power. They didn’t ask God to remove the persecution; instead, they asked Him to amplify their anointing. They recognized that the anointing removes every burden and destroys every yoke. When we gather in unity and pray with power, the anointing continues to break every stronghold, silence fear, and release supernatural courage.
Notice their attitude: They weren’t backing down, nor were they seeking a way out of hardship. They were devoted to their mission. The world around them demanded, “Stop preaching in the name of Jesus!” Yet instead of succumbing to that demand, they sought greater power. This is the essence of spiritual victory: not running from opposition but standing firm and pressing into God for more power. The early church prayed boldly, and God responded immediately. When we pray in faith, heaven acts even before we finish speaking.
Practical Application
What challenges do you encounter during the week? Instead of asking God to take away your challenges, ask Him to strengthen you when they come. The enemy wants you to back down, but God aims to empower you to walk in victory.