Principles of Powerful Prayer

Acts 12:1–17 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.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

A little boy opened an old family Bible with fascination, looking at the old pages as he turned them. Then something fell out of the Bible. He picked it up and looked at it closely. It was an old leaf from a tree that had been pressed in between the pages. “Mama, look what I found.” the boy called out. “What have you got there, dear?” his mother asked. With astonishment in the young boy’s voice he answered, “It’s Adam’s suit.”

Introduction

There is a plain marker on a neglected grave in a cemetery near the Canadian border that reads, “Daniel Nash, Pastor, Laborer with Finney, Mighty in Prayer.” Who was Nash? He never had the limelight, but he shook heaven and hell because he believed in the power of prayer. Charles Finney, was one of the key figures of the Second Great Awakening in 19th Century America. In the seven years in which Finny preached, there were an estimated 500,000 conversions. However, if you asked Finney, he would have given - credit for his crusades to Daniel Nash. When Finney went to a city to preach, Nash would arrive several weeks early, rent a room, find other Christians to join him, and start a prayer meeting for souls. 1n 1831 Nash took ill, on December 20th, while on his knees in prayer over a map of the world, Nash died at age 56.

Our theme throughout 2022 has been “Pray first!” We have thus far explored the practice of prayer in 1 Timothy 2, the promise of prayer in 1 John 5, the problem of prayer in Matthew 26 and now today we follow the example of the people of prayer in Acts 12.

Our text begins with persecution in the Early Church. James, one of Jesus inner circle, the brother of John is killed by Herod. And Peter is put in prison, awaiting the same fate. In this passage we will learn principles that we can apply as we face the challenging times we live in today.

Body

I. Lesson 1 - Pray without Ceasing - vs. 1-5

Acts 12:5 KJV 1900

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

James is the first of the 12 Disciples to be Martyred, his brother John will be the last. James is beheaded by Herod Agrippa. then Peter is put in prison. “Peter is bound, but prayer is loosed!”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900

Pray without ceasing.

Colossians 4:2 KJV 1900

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Ephesians 6:18 KJV 1900

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

II. Lesson 2 - Trust and Obey - vs. 6-11

Look at what Peter does.

He sleeps. He Trusts

Psalm 4:5 KJV 1900

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord.

Psalm 16:1 KJV 1900

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

Psalm 118:8 KJV 1900

It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.

He Obeys

Isaiah 65:24 KJV 1900

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; And while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

III. Expect God to Answer - vs. 12-17

The Story of Rhoda

As one old-time author has said, “The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel”

James 1:6–8 KJV 1900

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

We often show our lack of faith with plan b.

Matthew 21:22 KJV 1900

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Conclusion

Do you want to see God moved by Powerful Prayer

Pray without ceasing

Trust and Obey

Expect God to Answer