How’s our prayer level? Lately, I think it’s been pretty good. Usually, when things are going on in our life that brings us to our knees, we’re halfway positioned to pray. The only thing left is to look up, fold our hands, or bow our heads. The virus that has struck our world, COVID 19, has activated a new urgency to pray. Business as usual has dissipated.
We need to pray for our world and pray for one another. The Apostles in Biblical days encountered persecution and knew the importance of prayer.
King Herod had arrested some who belonged to the church. Persecution had come. James the brother of John was killed. This seemed to please some of the Jews, so Peter was arrested and “Put in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each.” (Acts 12: 4) That’s a lot of guards for one man, I thought! These guards were on duty for the four watches of the night. “Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” (Acts 12: 5)
Suddenly, an angel appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. Quick, get up!” He said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
I love this next part…The angel says, “Put on your clothes and sandals,” Peter did so!” Peter then follows the angel, not really knowing what was happening. Would you? He probably kept rubbing his eyes thinking that he was dreaming!
He walks right past the two sets of guards and notices that the iron gate opened up by itself for them. He walked the entire length of one street, and as suddenly as the angel came, he was gone.
Peter proclaims, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent this angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.” (Acts 12: 11)
- What are we anticipating God to do in our circumstances, in our world?
- God is able to deliver us from the clutches of evil, controlling people.
- Praying earnestly, people of God can release folks who are in captivity.
Peter then walks to see his friends where “Many people had gathered and were praying.” (Acts 12: 12) He arrives and they were astonished to see him. He tells them all that happened and then he leaves for another place.
Prayer changes things, situations, and releases those in chains. (Taken from Acts 12, Paraphrased)
I just noticed Job’s friends don’t seem to be praying for him. They just seem to be assuming he deserved this suffering. Job comprises a poem in this chapter that consists of three parts. He concludes saying, “The fear of the Lord–that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” (Job 28: 28)
- No matter what happens stay focused on the Lord, trust His wisdom, shun evil and you will walk in understanding.
(Taken from Job 28, Paraphrased)
Joshua was given wisdom as he followed the Lord. He completed the allotments, set boundaries, and the tribal inheritance was allocated.
- Joshua was a man who honored the Lord, inquired of Him for plans and strategy. Follow his lead.
May this encourage us, that through the power of prayer, everything changes. The early church learned to pray, not just once in a while, but prayed, frequently, intensely, and without ceasing. Make it a priority to incorporate prayer into your life.
The early church believers saw this verse come to pass, “Pray earnestly, so that I may be restored to you soon.” (Hebrews 13: 19) Peter was miraculously restored to them, as the believers prayed for one another and for their leader. Our leaders need our prayers
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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