Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was praying fervently to God for him.
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Many who read the book of Acts focus on the signs and wonders experienced by the early church, but it is also a story of their suffering and trials.
The end of chapter 11 and the beginning of chapter 12 are a great example of this. A prophecy was made that they should expect a worldwide famine, almost the worst thing imaginable for those people. But they had more recent troubles, as King Herod "violently attacked some who belonged to the church.” (12:1). In the midst of this came a real shocker, “and he executed James, John’s brother, with the sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too.” (12:2-3)
This must have shocked the church, as Peter, James, and John were the three most important disciples of Jesus. With James’ death and Peter’s arrest, there must have been great despair throughout the church.
Think from their perspective — What was going to happen next? What were they supposed to DO next?
What would have been most troubling was that their leadership was not there to show them what they were supposed to do. The despair that they must have felt would have been palpable.
No one had answers — but they knew the one who had those answers — the Lord God Almighty. And so they joined together to pray, and pray fervently.
Fervent prayer is not panic prayer, or desperate prayer, but passionate, intense, sincere prayer. It is prayer that pours out everything because there is nowhere else to go.
PRAYER STARTER…
O Dear Jesus, our Great Shepherd, there are times when we are truly shaken. There are times when we are sincerely confused and conflicted. There are times when everything seems lost. Show us in these gripping moments of discouragement and fear that you are still on the throne, you are the King of Kings, and that we can trust you for the days ahead.
(Continue this prayer as the Holy Spirit directs you personally.)