"But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him." Acts 12:5
The early church saw and experienced so much as it grew and spread incredible and difficult things. As the church continued to grow and Christ’s message spread further, the church faced more and more opposition. You see, many were very opposed to the message of Jesus and did everything they could to stop His message. Yet, amidst this opposition, the church members held on to their faith and expressed extraordinary confidence in God.
Opposition against Christianity was spreading in Acts 12. King Herod Agrippa “began to persecute some believers in the church” (verse 1). He ordered that the apostle James be killed, and when he saw how happy the Jewish people were that James was killed, He arrested Peter as well (verses 2-3). Now, remember, Peter was an instrumental part of the church, which many people looked to for guidance and leadership. This situation was dire. Anyone observing this situation would have expected the church members to panic. But, instead, they did something very different. While Peter was in prison, verse 5 tells us that the church prayed. Not only did the church pray, but they also prayed “very earnestly” for him. They took their concerns, fears, and worries straight to God during a very difficult time when they were worried about Peter, their own lives, and the church's future.
The early church set an incredible example for us in the face of persecution and fear. They prayed. This is our call, too. When life is overwhelming, when we face opposition, when it feels like everything is against us, we can pray. We turn to Him first because He is the all-powerful God who is in control. That is why, as I heard one pastor put it, “we do not just pray; we pray first.”
What situation are you facing that seems impossible to walk through? Bring it to God now. Tell Him what you are worried and concerned about. Ask Him for help, courage, and wisdom to walk through whatever you are facing. Thank Him that you can turn to Him through whatever you are facing.
Acts 12:1-6 (NLT)
About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate.
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