Prayer

I have been thinking about prayer and about the amazing way that God works through the prayers of believers. This past weekend we had 48 hours of prayer leading up to Easter, and God blessed us in more ways than we likely fully understand. It is amazing how God accomplishes more than we anticipate when we pray. Today, I read Acts 12 and was reminded of how God has always worked above and beyond when the church gathers to pray. 

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. — Acts 12:5

Herod had just executed James, John’s brother, with the sword, and he was planning to do the same to Peter. Herod had Peter securely locked away, thinking nothing could prevent his plan to publicly execute Peter. He had Peter under guard by 4 squads of soldiers, which seems like a bit much considering Peter was just a fisherman turned follower of Jesus. Peter wasn’t a fierce soldier or trained combatant. 

It seems that Peter had resigned himself to his fate, as Luke tells us that he was sound asleep the night before his planned execution. Jesus had told Peter that he would die a martyr’s death, and Peter thought that this was his time. We know Peter was sound asleep because the angel of the Lord had to hit Peter on the side, tell him to get up, then tell him to get dressed, put on his sandals, and wrap himself in his cloak. To be honest, when you read this part of Acts 12, it sounds very similar to a parent getting a child ready to head out for the day. Peter was so disoriented, he didn’t know what to do. Luke tells us that Peter thought this was all a vision. He thought he was dreaming of an escape, so he didn’t want to get his hopes up. The angel had to lead Peter through the gates and out into the street, and it wasn’t until then that Peter realized what was happening. 

When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”  When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and praying.— Acts 12:11-12

Peter immediately went to where the church was praying and knocked on the door. Rhoda was so excited upon hearing Peter’s voice that she ran in to tell everyone that Peter had escaped. Unfortunately, she left Peter standing outside while she did this. Those who were praying told Rhoda she was out of her mind and that Peter couldn’t possibly be outside the door since he was in prison. That is why they were praying. They seemed to be frustrated that she was interrupting their prayers for Peter. They even tried to get her to go away by saying she was just seeing Peter’s angel—which is not great theology and sounds like something they were saying to just try and get her to go away.

Meanwhile, Peter continued standing outside and knocking. It is ironic that an angel led him out of a locked prison guarded by 4 squads of soldiers; and now here he is, and he can’t get past one locked door to see the people who are praying for him. 

Finally, they came to the door, saw Peter, and were utterly amazed. They were shocked at how God had answered their prayers. They were praying for Peter, yet they were not expecting him to be released. They thought that since James had been martyred, Peter likely would also be killed. However, they continued to pray, and God worked. 

God answered so many prayers this past weekend, and we have not seen the end of what He is going to do. May we be encouraged by this account of the early church to continue to seek God in prayer. He doesn’t always answer in the way we think, but He is capable of doing far more than we can imagine.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. — Ephesians 3:20-21