Pray Expecting

Intro

The Home Front presents mission work as if it’s a battle field, which pastor has told us a number of times it is. Tonight we are going to talk about the greatest weapon in a Christian’s arsenal… prayer! And not just prayer but expectant prayer.

What’s the difference? In your handout it tells a story about 2 women who pray for rain, but only 1 takes her umbrella the next day. That’s expectant prayer! For tonight’s devotional, we’ll be in Acts 12 starting at verse 1… I’ll ask someone to read verses 1-5.

Home Front Devotionals

Acts 12:1-5

Acts 12:1–5 ESV

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Herod, grandson of the Herod from Jesus’ time, saw the early church as a threat to his reign, hence the general persecution of the church. James, son of Zebedee, Son of Thunder, Jesus’ Inner Circle with Peter and John… not Jesus’ brother or author of the book of the bible was put to death for being overzealous. The Jews agreed with this (Jews were not allowed to put people to death, but Herod Agrippa say the persecution of the church as an easy way to build a connection with the Jews) , and Herod saw that they appreciated his willingness to squash the movement, so he planned to put Peter to death at the end of the Passover as almost a celebration. (v4)

The early Christians recognized how important Peter was to the cause, and therefore started praying relentlessly for Peter to be freed. Jean talked earlier about praying a hedge around missionaries, and this passage shows the power and importance of praying over those who are carrying the message of Christ.

Acts 12:6-11

Acts 12:6–11 ESV

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

Look at v6: On the night of his execution (about to bring him out) Peter was chained to 2 soldiers and 2 more soldiers were assigned to guard the gates. Remember, Herod would have been very careful with Peter because he had already miraculously escaped prison in Acts 5 when angels set him free. Moreso, the guards would have been EXTRA careful for the same reason, plus their life was on the line if he escaped again.

Also, this was the night of his execution. The Christians at Mary’s house had been praying for 6-7 days for his release and had given up at this point. God does this a few times in the bible. In Luke 5, Jesus helps the fishermen only after they have given up, and Deuteronomy 32:36 says “For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free.” This is the reason that it is important to remain relentless in our prayer and our pursuit.

Acts 12: 12-15

Acts 12:12–15 ESV

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”

This is the key verses to this scripture. EVEN AFTER they prayed for a week, when their prayer was answered they didn’t quite believe it. Even Peter, who was in it, didn’t believe what he was seeing until after he “came to himself” in v11.

The people at the house, actually argued with Rhoda, the slave of the house (who forgot to let Peter in because she was so happy at the WORST possible time!) saying that she must be out of her mind or it was his ghost.

We’ve discussed the importance of prayer tonight, but it is important that we not only praying relentlessly, but that we expect those prayers to be answered, even when time is running out.

A couple of weeks ago I referenced the Book of James, which is the book by the James mentioned at the end of this scripture, in which it says:

James 1:6

James 1:6 ESV

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

To see how we can pray expectantly, I point you to Psalms 5:1-3

Psalm 5:1–3 ESV

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. 2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. 3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

The Hebrew word for groaning signifies a desperate sigh, or great turmoil. He brings his turmoil to God in v1, recognizes God’s majesty and their relationship in v2, and waits expectantly for His response in v3.

Now, this isn’t name it claim it. We pray expecting an answer, we don’t pray expecting to get our way. A great example is Paul praying to have the “thorn in his flesh” removed, but God did not grant his request. His reaction is documented in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” He embraced the situation after God said no, and it did not discourage him from praying relentlessly in the future.

Let’s pray relentlessly for God to answer our prayers for ourselves and for those who are carrying His Word across the globe. It’s the greatest weapon that we can deploy in the battle to save souls.