Power In Prayer

Title: What Happens When We Pray

Theme: Prayer makes a difference in the life of believers.

Text: Acts 12:1 - 5

Note: Some points are used from Awake My Soul by J. Sidlow Baxter

Opening Scripture

Acts 12:1-5 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. (2) Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (James was considered to be the leader/overseer of the church at the time) (3) And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. (The Jews and Herod had this unique relationship. Although Herod was wicked and prideful as we learn later in the chapter. The Jews relied on him for their life. They were willing to look past the immorality to put food in their belly.) Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. (4) So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, (four squads of soldiers are four soldiers who guarded him at all times, as we will learn two by his side and maybe two at the door, Herod was truly concerned that Paul would escape. Maybe he had more faith in the power of God than they realized.) intending to bring him before the people after Passover. (5) Peter was therefore kept in prison, but (this tells us that there was more happening in the story than just Peter being thrown into prison, what was that) constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

Note 1: The Bible does not tell us that the church prayed when James went into prison. What was the result, James was sawn in half. Why didn’t the church pray? Maybe they thought “well it is God’s will, let us see what will happen.” Maybe they didn’t feel the urgency of the moment. I don’t know. I do know they prayed for Peter. Why do we have to wait for tragedy to happen to cause us to pray?

Let me stop right here and tell you we underestimate the power and potential of prayer. I believe it is one of the most underestimated spiritual disciplines. There is so much that happens when we pray.

Note 2: The Bible says they prayed. They didn’t moan and complain. They didn’t fight against the flesh (invade the prison). They didn’t put protest together. They prayed.

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Let Us Pray

What Happened when they Prayed?

(Acts 12:6) And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

First, it brings angels to the rescue (read verse 7).

(Acts 12:7) Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me.” 9) So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

“The angels may not always make themselves visible as that one did to Peter; but in answer to believing prayer heavenly presences are on the spot—not only angels, but the Holy Spirit and our Lord Himself, to rescue souls and repulse the powers of evil.”

God used angels throughout the Old Testament. Defeating armies, wrestling with people, allowing intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah.

Daniel 6:22 “My God sent the angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions.”

Angels ministered to Jesus after his temptation in Matthew 4:11 and in the garden Luke 22:43

Reminder:

1. God directs them, we do not. We can’t tell our assigned angels what to do.

2. We are not to worship angels. They are created beings. We only worship God, the creator of the angels.

Guardian Angels

Does God give us Guardian Angels? I would believe so. They are there for our protection and God’s assignment. We see this in Daniel, Hebrews 1:14, Ps 91:11, 34:7

Second, it looses men from chains (read verse 7).

(Acts 12:7) Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands.