On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God (Acts 4:23-24a).

When confronting a challenge or crisis, we often experience a "hunger" of some kind.  Maybe we find ourselves hungering for safety, quick and easy solutions to our problems, or just a deep desire that the challenge would go away.  In this week's passage, we find Peter and John motivated by a different kind of hunger.  They were part of a small and growing community who sought God fervently. When faced with opposition and persecution, their response reveals their hunger for God and desire to do His will.

Let's look at how their God-hunger directed the actions they took.

First, they prayed as a group for God’s will, even when it could cause their situation to be harder, uncomfortable, or even unsafe. For example, Peter and John were arrested after healing a lame man and were told by authorities not to preach about Jesus anymore. Instead of buckling under the pressure and making their lives easier, they prayed for boldness and sought strength from God to keep obeying.

Second, they trusted in God’s provision. I think the fact that their first response was going to God for help showed their faith. God heard them and provided what they needed. Acts 4:31 says “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

Third, they understood the importance of the Christian community. They didn’t walk the spiritual walk alone. They supported each other, prayed together, and faced opposition as a united group. I think this is critical for Christians to grow and stay faithful to God.

Being hungry for God is not an emotional response to a sermon or a feeling that happens after doing devotions. It is cultivated over time as we pray, trust, and grow as part of a Christian community. We know we have it when we can pray the Lord’s prayer and mean it from the depth of our hearts. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10).

What is one practical thing that you could do today that could help your hunger for God grow? Cultivating a hunger for God is not a passive endeavor but an intentional pursuit- a daily commitment to seek His presence, trust in His promises, and walk alongside fellow believers in solidarity and love.