Prayer that Frees the Captives

Peter, James, and John were among the first disciples.

Herod Agrippa was pursuing their imprisonment and death.

Herod had Peter arrested at one of the most popular religious festivals.

Maybe Herod feared a repeat, remembering how Christ’s body had gone missing after they guarded the tomb.

Maybe he sought to finish what his grandfather started, stopping any potential Messianic uprising that would threaten the authority of his throne.

There were more than 60 soldiers guarding him; four were in direct proximity and chained between two of them.

The thought that a captive might escape incited fear in the Roman legions because it would result in the captor's own death.

Peter thought he was dreaming about escaping.

Who wouldn’t dream about escaping from prison and probable execution?

This dream seems too good to be true.

Some people today feel imprisoned in their own realities.

Incarcerations, and human trafficking plague our culture.

The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate and one of the highest recidivism rates of any country in the world.

And every year about 50,000 people are trafficked in the U.S., with more than 50% of cases involving children.

It’s as if on one hand, we equate the penal system with the concept of justice while believing that slavery has long been eradicated.

These nightmares exist for many people today, and they exist in a land we term the “land of the free.”

Some might be dreaming of a “perfect” life, while others may simply want to be free from their current struggles.

When we do find freedom and happiness, it may feel too good to be true.

We might either respond with hesitation and disbelief, or we might be able to find accept the new reality and flourish.

While Peter had been in prison, “the church prayed fervently to God for him.”

What else could they do? They were concerned about Peter, their shepherd, possibly expecting that night to be his last.

They prayed fervently (enthusiastically, passionately) for someone they loved.

Surprisingly, Peter was sound asleep beside two guards the night before his trial.

The angel had told him to get up quickly as the chains fell off his wrists and opened the gates for Peter to walk free.

Everything was planned for him, he just needed to get up and do it.

Peter seemed groggy, almost helpless, needing to be told to put on his belt, sandals, and outer coat.

Only when Peter was fully out of the gate and on his way, did the angel leave him.

Only then did Peter realize that his dream was indeed his new reality.

It seems that the fervent prayers of Peter’s brothers and sisters in Christ was amazingly answered by God!

Afterward, Peter might have asked himself why James had been killed, while the Lord released from him prison.

It seems God wasn’t done with Peter yet.

The Gospel spread to many nations through the initial efforts of the Apostles, including Peter. While Peter focused on those who committed to Judaism as prescribed by Mosaic Law, others were encouraged by the message of God’s grace made available by faith in Jesus Christ.

Later, the elders of the early church recognized God’s Spirit spread among Jews and Greeks alike.

As this message spread, the early church recognized the blessing of God’s Spirit on all those who believed.

The prayers of the body of Christ, appealing to God for their beloved brother, were answered amazingly.

And, the fervent prayers of the body of Christ today can be amazingly answered today.

God of yesterday is still God of today and forever.

This kind of prayer provides release to captives as God lives within us, freeing our hearts with forgiveness, and through our collective action as we work for peace and justice in the world.

When God answers our prayers things change:

God’s answers to our prayers can surprise us, as those who prayed for Peter were surprised that he was really released.

God’s answers to our prayers makes the enemy quake with fear, as the guards feared Peter’s escape.

God’s answers to prayers often results in ruining the plans of the evil one.

God’s answers to our fervent prayers results in our freedom and happiness.