Acts 12:5-7 - But earnest prayer was going up to God from the
church for his safety all the time he was in prison. The night before he was to be executed, he
was asleep, double-chained between two soldiers with others standing guard
before the prison gate, when suddenly there was a light in
the cell and an angel of the Lord stood beside Peter! The angel slapped him on
the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his
wrists!
Peter had been arrested and scheduled for
execution as soon as the Passover feast was over…but he wasn’t worried. He was double chained to a dungeon wall….between
two guards and a host of others posted throughout the prison….yet he was fast
asleep. His faith was strong enough to understand that even this seemingly
hopeless situation had some purpose in spreading the gospel. He let God calm
enough to sleep through the discomfort of prison…and the hopeless thoughts of
his impending death…that could tear his faith apart.
Peter also had many believers praying for him
in a nearby home. We are not told what words they used to pray…just that they
met together in fervent prayer. When they learned of the news of his wrongful
sentence…they stopped everything and called a prayer meeting…one that lasted into
the wee hours of the night….to ask God to grant him safety.
They could not see the angel God sent to Peter
to answer their prayers…they just kept on praying. They could not see Peter
loosed from the chains that held him until he was scheduled to die….they just
kept on praying. They did not even believe the young girl who answered the
knock on the door while they prayed…that Peter stood before her at the door….free
of shackles.
The story reminds me of two important truths
about prayer. First…prayer should be our
first defense against any thing that troubles us. We should gather with other believers and
pray for the safety of those that we know have met with darkness and trouble…. and
we should be willing to spend all night praying…all day…all week…until we get
our answer from God. I am also reminded that I should believe in what I am
praying for. Those people had prayed all night for Peter…for safety…probably
for his release….but they rejected the servant girl’s first message of his
release…that God had actually found a way to release Peter while they prayed.
I admit that I needed both reminders….to pray
more earnestly…with purpose for the ones God has let me know are in deep trouble.
I am more guilty of doubting the outcome of my prayers….doubting that he will
answer the prayers I send up in miraculous…even supernatural ways. I need to be
more like Moses…constantly in God’s presence to petition for the people God
called him to lead. I need to be more
like David…crying out to God every time I know of a need….sharing with him my
deep sorrow for the ones he is allowing to go through dark times. I need to be more like Daniel...praying three
times a day with my face to the Heavens….asking God for strength to endure till
he sends me the answers to my prayers. I
need to be more like Peter…so sure of God’s will…so full of God’s peace that surpasses understanding… that he was able to
sleep and rest thinking that his death was in just a few days.
Father…thank you for the reminder that prayer
is a powerful tool of communication and healing. Forgive me for all the times that I have underutilized
the gift of prayer in my life….even prayed in doubt that your will would be
close to my request. Help me to be like
these early Christians who were willing to pray all night and into the next day
for their friend in Christ. Toss in a bit of Moses tenaciousness…David’s heart….and
Daniel’s routine…to help me be a better prayer warrior for myself and
others. Amen.
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