But the kind of world we live in today is not without precedent. The early believers in the Book of Acts also experienced this kind of hostile environment. Rulers and religious fanatics conspired to eradicate the fledgling Christian movement with the same determination as modern-day terrorists. Christians were persecuted, harassed, threatened, put in prison and martyred. But notice their prayer in the context of this situation in Acts 4:24-29, NASB.

“They lifted their voices to God ... and said, ‘O Lord, it is Thou who didst make the heaven and the earth ... and all that is in them, who by the Holy Spirit through ... David Thy servant, didst say, “Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples devise futile things? The ... rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ” ... to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur. And now Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with all confidence.’”

Should we expect that life would be any different today? We are still asking these same questions. Why do the nations rage? Why do they devise futile things? Why do the rulers of the world set their hands against the Lord and seek vengeance on peace-loving democracies?

But notice in the midst of threats the early believers affirmed their confidence and faith in God’s sovereignty. They reminded Him He was the one who created heaven and earth and everything in them. In fact, He had already spoken through David to reveal that earthly rulers would oppose Him, and He would allow only what He predestined according to His purpose.

They did not pray threats to them would be removed. They did not ask for their comfort zone to be restored. To the contrary, they recognized their suffering was an opportunity for God to work through the mighty hand of Jesus. Their only request was that they might speak the Word with boldness and confidence.

When the communist power structure began to crumble a few years ago, we recognized there was one remaining stronghold of resistance to fulfilling the Great Commission—the Muslim world. With confidence that God’s desire is to be exalted among the nations and His salvation to be proclaimed to the ends of the earth, we had a deep conviction that one day God would shake those strongholds and open an unprecedented opportunity to penetrate these nations with the message of redemption.

Could recent events possibly create a disillusionment among adherents of the Muslim faith regarding their religious worldviews? Could international coalitions being created to battle terrorism open doors of access for a Christian witness? Could Americans begin to realize the tragedy of Sept. 11 did not occur due to lax security or ineffective international diplomacy, but because we failed to be obedient in carrying out the Great Commission? And could this cause us to refocus our resolve to evangelize the nations?

Did God know these things would happen? Absolutely, even from the foundation of the world. And while He did not predestine such tragedies, He has not relinquished His throne. His plan and desire is to use any and every event for the purpose that He might be glorified and exalted among the nations.

I do not know the implications of all we are experiencing. It is hard to see and anticipate how God can use the current global environment. But our prayer should be like that of the believers in Acts 4, “Lord, behold their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with confidence.”