Sweet Hour of Prayer Part 2

Last week we learned about the purpose of prayer, their persistence in prayer, the people in prayer, and we also began to look at the power of prayer.

The early church learned about the power of prayer. We would do well to learn about the power of prayer. In verse 6 we notice the desperate situation.

Read verses.

In verses 7–11 we see:

The Power of Prayer (7-11)

B. The deliverance was supernatural. (7-11)

Ephesians 3:20–21 NKJV

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

1. The angel showed up in prison. (7a)

God sent supernatural deliverance to Peter in answer to the churches fervent prayer.

Luke uses a word to get the attention and emphasizes what is about to be said! “Now behold”

God sent one of His supernatural soldiers to rescue Peter.

We can’t always see angels, but the Bible says God’s people have angels that minister to them! Thank God that He knows where we are and what we go through!

The angel didn’t have to have a key to get in; he didn’t have to have an escort or a map; or a tracking system to find Peter! The angel knew where to go and what to do when he got there. The angel showed up in prison!

￫ That encourages me in that no matter how bad it looks on the outside God always has means to get in on the inside!

The deliverance was supernatural! God’s mighty angel showed up in prison! When the angel showed up a light shone off in the prison. A light shone in the prison and yet the guards with Peter and at the doors were rendered helpless.

The angel showed up in prison! Do you need to be set free today? God can send supernatural deliverance no matter where you are or what you are in! Not only did the angel show up in prison; we also see:

2. The angel spoke out to Peter (7b-10)

Peter was in such a deep sleep that the angel showed up and the light shine out, but Peter slept on. The light didn’t wake up Peter so the angel hit Peter on the side!

The angel got his attention and then the angel gave him direction.

“Get up, quick!”

Verse 8 says, “and so he did.”

Peter followed directions; he obeyed immediately the commands from the servant of the Lord!

The angel told Peter to put on his garment and follow him. Peter could hear the angel, see the angel, and he was touched by the angel!

Angels can and do sometimes manifest themselves in human form! Peter followed the practical instruction of the angel!

Warren Wiersbe said, “God alone can do the extraordinary, but His people must do the ordinary.”

W. Hershel Ford wrote, “So we see that God never does for us what we can do for ourselves. Peter could not get himself out of prison, but the angel could. Peter could not smite off the chains, he could not open the gates, but God could send an angel to do this for him. Peter could put on his garments, he could put on his coat, he could follow the angel. God today expects us to do our part. He is not going to send an angel to do for us the things which we can do for ourselves.”

In verses 7–8 we’ve learned what he told Peter. In verses 9–10 we see:

b. Where he took Peter (9-10)

He took Peter by the guards. (9-10a)

He took Peter beyond the gate (10b)

The Old Puritan Preacher Thomas Watson said, “The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.”

William Walford wrote, “Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father’s throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the temper’s snare, by Thy return, sweet hour of prayer.”

Do you believe in the power of prayer? Have you experienced God’s supernatural deliverance because of prayer? We’ve noticed the purpose of prayer, their persistence in prayer, the people in prayer, the power of prayer, and we also see:

The Place of Prayer (12)

A. Mary’s house was known as a place of prayer. (12a)

Consider this: this is a single word in the Greek language which means “having realized or having perceived.” Peter came to his senses and fully realized that God had delivered him from the hands of Herod! Peter realized why he was in jail and now why he was free.

Verse 11 says that Peter realized that the angel delivered him from all the expectation of the Jewish people. The Jewish people Peter makes reference to wanted him dead and they rejoiced when James died and they were eagerly expecting Peter’s execution!

The first thing Peter did when he came to himself was to go to Mary’s house. This Mary was John Mark’s mother and the church regularly met there!

This is where Peter went because he probably knew that Christians regularly met at Mary’s home for worship.”

It was an acknowledged place of prayer.

Peter wasn’t released at 10 in the morning or 2 in the afternoon. It was late at night and the church was still at prayer! The church was in prayer consistently for Peter. Mary’s house was known as a house of prayer where the church met together to pray.

It was not only an acknowledged place of prayer, we also learn:

B. It was an active place of prayer (12b)

Many: tells us that this was a concentrated prayer effort where prayer was made. How many today gather for prayer meetings?

￫ We have a many who will

￫ come to meals,

￫ come to entertainment,

￫ come to singings,

￫ come to dramas, but few come to pray!

The place was an active place of prayer. The church was gathered at Mary’s house for the express purpose of praying. They were praying to God, what they could do, and God was delivering Peter, what only God could do.

Praying: proseuchomai, pros-yoo’-khom-ahee; to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship pray (x earnestly, for), make prayer. This word tells us that this was an ongoing prayer ministry! The church was actively involved in praying for Peter.

We don’t need to be like the little boy I heard about! This little boy wanted a baby brother. His dad told him the way to get things is to pray for them. So the boy prayed for a baby brother. But after a couple of weeks no baby came, so he quit praying. Nine months later his father said his mother would give birth to a baby. Later, the father showed the boy twin boys. The daddy said, “Son aren’t you glad you prayed as you did?” The little boy answered, “Yes sir, but aren’t you glad I stopped when I did?”

We are not to stop praying, but we are to keep on!

Are you a prayer warrior? Do you know about the sweet hour of prayer? Are you actively engaged in prayer? Is God’s house a known as a place of prayer? Do we have the power of God upon our lives and ministries? Are we seeing God save souls, change lives, and set the captives free? Do we need to cry out today for those who are in spiritual prison?