...pray...and keep praying...

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

12 About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. 2 He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. 3 After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) 4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. 5 While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.

Peter Delivered from Prison

6 The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 The angel said to him, ‘Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.’ 9 Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’

12 As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. 13 When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14 On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, ‘You are out of your mind!’ But she insisted that it was so. They said, ‘It is his angel.’ 16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. 17 He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, ‘Tell this to James and to the believers.’ Then he left and went to another place.

18 When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

The Death of Herod

20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him in a body; and after winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for a reconciliation, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them. 22 The people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!’ 23 And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. 25 Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark” Acts 12:1-25.

This chapter is filled with remarkable stories that speak to us of the incredible actions of God. What speaks so powerfully to me is that God acted in response to the prayers of the church. It is also important to see that when Peter was released from his condemned jail cell by an angel of God, the church who was praying could hardly believe that their prayers had been effective! I feel that this chapter is focusing us on the relationship between prayer and the actions of God. This chapter also shows how God acts to bring retribution on all us who oppose His work and exalt themselves. If you and I just set up ourselves and our own wishes, if we try to live life pushing back against God, we will perish!

So this is an important chapter filled with stories that speak of the power of our daily prayer. Persistent prayer, no matter what is happening in our lives, is the key to faithful living. From where I sit, this chapter is hollering at us to pray, and to keep on praying, and never give up praying to God. We should never put God on a timeline! We should never walk away from praying to God because we don’t get an immediate answer to our prayer. And we should always pray that God’s will; be done in all of our prayers. Remember, we don’t know what god wishes when we pray, so we have to pray always with hearts that say, “May Your will be done on earth, in our prayers, as it is in heaven!” 

So pray today! Consider what is the quality of life you want to live — in the remaining days and hours of your life? What is the quality of life you want for your family? Do we not all want to live a life that is in keeping with the life of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do we not all wish to live the life that Jesus Christ gave you on the Cross!

You see — our life can be like Christ’s life!

How much does our life weigh?

If it doesn't weigh anything — in influence — if our life doesn’t leave an indelible impression in the lives of other people — it’s because we need to pray that the CROSS OF CHRIST means everything to the way we live.

Our life must be worthy of the name Christian — in everything we do!

Dear Friends and Followers of Jesus Christ — Live your life consistent with the name — Jesus Christ! This is what I want you to pray for me — and this is what I want to pray that for you.

And we should ALL pray that for others! 

Lord Jesus Chartist, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.