Acts 12- The power of prayer

Acts 12:1-24

Acts 12:1–24 (KJV 1900)

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him , and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And .his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. But the word of God grew and multiplied.

As Christians one of the biggest blessings we have is the ability to pray! We can march right into the throne room of God’s presence and ask him personally for help!

“Prayer is the key to Heavens treasury!”- Adrian Rogers

We can go directly to God and ask for help!

Look at some of the promises and truths found about prayer in scripture!

Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”

1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

Jer 33:3 “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry.”

John 9:31 “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”

Im trying to say is our God really answers prayer! In this story we are going to see God’s people pray themselves out of something impossible!

Maybe you’re in a spot? Maybe a loved one? Maybe theres just something on your heart?

TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER!

Prayer in a poor situation (Acts 12:1-4)

They were in pain!

James had just been killed! He was a leader and their friend!

Peter was arrested and in jail!

Herod was vexing them- Vex=Hurt

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 519: Prayer

They tell us the 911 emergency system is the state of the art. All you need do is dial those numbers, and you will almost instantly be connected to a dispatcher. In front of the dispatcher will be a read-out that lists your telephone number, your address, and the name by which that telephone number is listed at that address. Also listening in are the police, the fire department, and the paramedics.

A caller might not be able to say what the problem is. Or perhaps a woman’s husband has just suffered a heart attack, and she is so out of control that all she can do is hysterically scream into the telephone. But the dispatcher doesn’t need her to say anything. He knows where the call is coming from. Help is already on the way.

There come times in our lives when in our desperation and pain we dial 911 prayers. Sometimes we’re hysterical. Sometimes we don’t know the words to speak. But God hears. He knows our name and our circumstance. Help is on the way; God has already begun to bring the remedy.

Maybe your like them? You’re hurting? Situation seem too big? Job too hard? Just fall down and start asking God!

Phil 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Despite Persecution!

Herod and the people hated them!

In the face of enormous difficulty? They prayed!

For the inPrisoned!

Peter couldn’t help him self! So they interceded!

Are we praying and making intercession for others?

1 Tim 2:1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”

They prayed for a man in bonds and jailed

Are we praying for those in bonds?

Luke 10:2

Prayer was persistently stated! (Acts 12:5)

They made fervent prayer!

Fervent- intense and unstopping!

Are we praying fervently? Begging God?

James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

2. It was a faithful prayer!

A prayer to God

“unto God”

Wheres our faith? God just may answer! He works! Jer 33:3 “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Prayer wrought a powerful solution (Acts 12:6-24)

God delivered! He saved Peter!

Despite their doubt

They couldn’t believe Peter was ok!

God does the impossible!!

Ministry doubled!

The work advanced because of God’s moving!!!

Conclusion- LETS US PRAY!