The disciples called on God to note the threats of the Sanhedrin. They may have done so to stress their need for more of His grace rather than to call down His wrath on those rulers. The will of God was clear. The disciples were to witness for Christ ( Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20). Consequently they only needed enablement to carry out their task. They did not assume that God would automatically give them the courage to witness boldly, as He had done in the past. They voiced a fresh appeal for this grace since additional opposition and temptations lay ahead of them (cf. Mark 9:29). They also acknowledged that God, not they, was doing a spiritual work. In these respects their prayer is a helpful model for us. [source][source][source]
"Prayer is not an escape from responsibility; it is our response to God"s ability. True prayer energizes us for service and battle." [1][source]
"It might have been thought that when Peter and John returned with their story a deep depression would have fallen on the Church, as they looked ahead to the troubles which were now bound to descend upon them. The one thing that never even struck them was to obey the Sanhedrin"s command to speak no more. Into their minds at that moment there came certain great convictions and into their lives there came a tide of strength." [2][source]
It is noteworthy that these Christians did not pray for judgment on their persecutors, nor freedom from persecution, but for strength and enablement in their persecution (cf. Isaiah 37:16-20). They rightly saw that their number one priority was preaching Jesus to a needy world. [3][source]