Acts 12:11
The scripture for today is Acts 12:11
Acts 12:11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.
King Herod had killed the apostle James and had Peter arrested, secured in prison, chained to guards behind closed, locked, and guarded doors. He wanted to make sure that no one got to Peter before he had the chance to bring him before the people and execute him as well. But Peter was not standing alone in this severe trial, He was being covered in prayer by the church. “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” Acts 12:5 The man of God, although bound and imprisoned, was being supported by his friends. The church had taken up his cause and was before God crying out on his behalf. Their love for Peter was great; He was their brother. As they prayed all that night, God moved in answer to those prayers. He sent an angel to the prison, just one angel, armed with the authority and power of God to bring Peter out of the prison. This task would have been impossible except that nothing is impossible with God. The angel went into the prison, the guards were rendered unconscious, the chains that bound Peter fell from his hands and doors opened of their own accord to free the man of God.
“Joy and praise filled the hearts of the fasting, praying believers, that God had heard and answered their prayers, and delivered Peter from the hand of Herod. In the morning the people gathered together to witness the execution of the apostle. Herod sent officers to bring Peter from prison with great display of arms and guard, in order to ensure against his escape, to intimidate all sympathizers, and to exhibit his own power. There was the guard at the door of the prison, the bolts and bars of the door still fast and strong, the guard inside, the chains attached to the wrists of the two soldiers; but the prisoner was gone.” Ellen White, The Story of Redemption, p. 297
Prayer brings the power of God to bear upon the lives of those who trust in Him. The church today must act as those believers did, with simple faith and dedication to the cause of righteousness. God has demonstrated again and again in His word that He responds to the prayer of faith offered by the faithful. As we complete the work God has given us to do on this earth, we will need the same power moving among us as the early church did. We will face greater opposition; we must face it with great prayer and courageous faith. We will overcome the power of the enemy if we follow the example that has been set before us by Christ Himself. We must pray and we must pray continuously, standing on the promises of God.
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim