Friday, July 6th
Read: Acts 12
Have you ever prayed for something, not really expecting God to answer, and were greatly surprised to see him act in response to your prayers? Have you ever prayed for something despite thinking that it wasn’t really possible for God to help? Prayer is a powerful thing. In God’s word it says that the prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective (see James 5:16). The prayers of the saints are like sweet smelling incense to the Lord and he loves to respond to them in his grace, mercy and justice (see Psalms 141:2). In Acts we see how the power of prayer did something revolutionary.
Chapter 12 talks about the tight spot Peter was in. He was placed in prison and about to be put on public trial because he preached about Jesus. The King—King Herod Agrippa—hated what was going on in the Church. He had the apostle James killed with a sword, and Peter arrested and under the guard of sixteen soldiers. It seems ridiculous to have one man (one non-violent Christian man, that is) being guarded by so many. What exactly was King Herod so afraid of? Perhaps he had good reason to fear—Peter’s God had power far beyond any number of guards. Herod likely didn’t know the number of people Peter had praying for him but he did know that this stirring revolution was bad news for him and his authority over the people.
While Peter was in jail, an angel of the Lord stood before him, made the chains slip off his wrists, and walked out with him past the guards. The entire time, Peter thought that he was just having a vision and that in reality he was still sitting in the prison cell. But, it was really true—the Lord sent His angel and saved Peter from trial and more persecution. This was truly a miracle. Why did this happen to him? As it says in Acts “So Peter was kept in prison; but long and fervent prayer was offered to God by the Church on his behalf.” (v.5) The Lord sent an angel in response to the Church’s earnest prayers on Peter’s behalf.
I’m sure that many of the believers did not expect their prayers to be answered in such an extreme way, but our God is the kind of God who answers our prayers. When His people passionately cry out to Him without ceasing because one of their brothers is in trouble, He hears and does not turn a deaf ear. Angels are sent into action when the Lord’s people pray.
Process:
– Do you really believe, wholeheartedly, that prayer has the power to change things?
– Have you ever felt the prayer of others in a very real and powerful way? Who do you know that needs the forces of heaven to help them? Do you really want the Lord to step in? Do you want it enough to earnestly pray for them?
– Write down some people who need you to pray for them. Take some time right now (or you may forget), and pray passionately for them. Keep praying. Persist. Be earnest. Then sit back and watch the Lord fight for you. He is faithful.
Youth Department