Earnest prayers

Scripture: Acts 12:5

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Observation: Peter had been seized and Herod had him guarded well by 16 soldiers. However, an angel came to him in the night, released his chains and walked him past all the guards and through the gate of the city.

Those were some serious prayers! Would he have been released without all that prayer? I don’t know. But I think that the prayers were critical… why else would God have wanted that included in this story? The Bible is His book, after all.

Application: Peter’s situation looked pretty grim, but those in the church did not give up. They prayed earnestly.

I think God often uses his power to alter circumstances after hearing our prayers. So many times in the Bible we read stories of those who cried out to God and how God responded.

I think this is yet another reminder to us to never stop praying, no matter the circumstances. No, this does not mean that we will always get just what we want. But I think it does mean that He is listening and he wants us to pray to Him. And He will answer.

Prayer: Lord, you are an awesome God. And it amazes me that, even though you are sovereign and could do whatever you want, you still want to hear from me (and all your other children). Please remind me of this when I want to give up. Remind me of Peter and how hopeless his situation looked… Yet you freed him and continued using him for your glory. Thank you Lord, for answering prayers. And thank you for recently showing me how you have been answering mine. You are amazing!