What If His People Prayed?
Acts 12:1-10
Casting Crowns sing a song that says this:
”What if His people prayed”
”And those who bear His name”
”Would humbly seek His face”
”And turn from their own way”
”And what would happen if we prayed”
”For those raised up to lead the way”
”Then maybe kids in school could pray”
”And unborn children see light of day”
”What if His people prayed”
Folks, MANY amazing things will happen IF GOD’S PEOPLE WILL PRAY!! Throughout the Book of Acts we read of the amazing power that was experienced by the early church. Throughout church history the men & women of God have experienced great power.
We have all read of the great work that God did through men like:
o D.L Moody
o Billy Sunday
o Charles Finney
o C.H Spurgeon
o John Wesley
o Billy Graham and others
I have heard many of you speak of the glory days of this church. But, for some reason it seems that when we speak of power in the church it is always in the past tense. If that is the case (and it is) then the natural question would be: “what happened”?
i. Is it that the Lord has changed? Absolutely not! - Malachi 3:6 for I am the LORD, I change not…
ii. Is it the wicked society that we live in? - Elijah experienced God’s power during the reign of Ahab. So what is stopping us?
iii. Is it government oppression? - Peter, James & John had to deal with persecution from the Religious & Governmental leaders of their day and we read that “The Lord added unto the church daily”
iv. Is it the songs we sing? - No! Whether you like the beat or the melody the songs that we sing are biblical based songs that glorify Jesus.
v. Is it the sermons we preach? - If the sermons are biblical (and they are) then that is not the answer as to the lack of power in the church.
I believe that the answer to the problem is summed up in one word… PRAYER!! I am not talking about the invocation, offertory prayer or the benediction. I am talking about the people of God humbly bowing before God and crying out to Him with passion. So many people are focused on the hype and the traditions that they remember from their childhood instead of crying out to God for His power and presence in the church! We don’t need old time religion… WE NEED A MODERN DAY MOVE OF GOD!! I for one don’t want the “Old Time Religion” that my parents may have experienced when they were younger. I don’t even want the “Old Time Religion” that my grandparents knew.
1) I want the POWER that Paul and Silas experienced in the midst of a jailhouse when they prayed and an earthquake shook the foundation of the prison and broke the chains that bound them.
2) I want the power that Steven possessed as he was stoned to death due to his testimony for the Lord Jesus. As he stood there with death approaching he looked at towards heaven and said “I see Jesus standing on the right hand of God”
3) I want the power that sustained James as Herod had him beheaded for the cause of Christ.
4) I want the power that the Church experienced right here in Acts chapter 12 as they fervently prayed for the release of Peter.
Today I want to look at that very subject and ask the question “What If His People Prayed”? I would like to start with:
I. PRAYER: THE REASON FOR IT - v1 now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 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.5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
James, one of the Lord’s faithful disciples has been apprehended and beheaded by Herod. Now Peter is imprisoned and facing the same fate. The Jews hated the Gospel and the church that propagated it. The persecution that Herod exhibited brought him a great advantage politically. It was his intention to hold Peter until after Easter and then execute him. Surely the church realized that if execution was the enemies plan for Peter & James then they may be sentenced to death as well.
The Jews & Herod were responsible for the death of James & the imprisonment of Peter. But there is something going on behind the scenes in this event. Satan was the one who was orchestrating these events. It was his goal to destroy the church while it was still in its infancy. Yes, there was much reason for the fervent prayers of the early church! Today’s church has much reason to be fervent in prayer.
We live in a day where God is being removed from every area of our nation. Not only that, Christians are being persecuted on a daily basis. Christians are being put out of business and sued for taking a stand against gay marriage. There is a move to silence those men of God who would preach against homosexuality. Churches and religious institutions are being forced to comply with legislation that endorses and funds abortion.
Then there are the problems in the church:
It is estimated that 4,000 churches a year close their doors permanently. In 1920, 27 churches existed for every 10,000 Americans. In 1950, 17 churches existed for every 10,000 Americans. In 2004, 11 churches existed for every 10,000 Americans. “If trends continue, by 2050 the percentage of Americans attending church will be half of what it was in 1990” “Between 80% and 85% of all churches in America are either plateaued or are declining.- http://www.theholtsclawfamily.com/church-statistics.html
Most of the churches that ARE growing are not BIBLICAL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES! Satan did not succeed in destroying the early church, but destruction is still his goal today! When we look around it seems that he is having great success! And because of that there is no shortage of reasons for the Church to pray today! As we move further we will see that it is our duty to pray! Notice:
II. PRAYER: THE RESPONSIBILTY IN IT- v5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him……
This was a dark time; one of the leaders of the church was in prison and facing death. But there is an important word in this verse - “Peter therefore was kept in prison: BUT” - But what? BUT PRAYER!!! We read that prayer was made “WITHOUT CEASING of the church unto God”We are going to read shortly that after Peter was released he found them STILL PRAYING! I want to see 3 things about our responsibility in prayer:
A. Our Prayers Must Be Intentional - This church had one goal …PETER’S RELEASE!
They did not gather together and go over their little list of needs and wants. They sought Peter’s release from his bonds - this prayer was “made unto God …for him” This church was focused! Look to v12 {Peter} came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.The ENTIRE CHURCH was gathered together to fervently pray for one of their own. It is not enough for us to simply make a speech unto God. We must pray intentional prayers. We have the opportunity to go boldly before the throne on behalf of one another! Our prayers must be “Intentional” and:
B. Our Prayers Must Be Intense
This prayer was a FERVENT prayer!
Fervent (ektenēs - ek-ten-ace') {G} intent: without ceasing. (it carries the idea of praying with urgency!)
This is the type of praying the church needs today! James says in his epistle… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16) - Our prayers must be Intentional and Intense and we also see that:
C. Our Prayers Must Be Intimate
The early church joined together to seek help for their brother and leader. I would greatly appreciate if you would do the same today. Join together on behalf of your brothers and sisters in Christ and don’t forget your pastor!! (I will take all I can get) The beauty in this prayer is the intimacy and unity of the church. They were all together in one accord bowing humbly before God and making their request known! They offered their prayers and God heard them and moved in GREAT POWER!!! Many times through Paul’s writings we read where he tells the church that he is praying for them. We also read on many occasions where he asks them to pray for him.
It is our responsibility to pray for one another. And we must do so:
o Intentionally
o Intensely
o Intimately
So far we have seen Prayer: The Reason for it. We have seen Prayer: The Responsibility in it, now lets see:
III. PRAYER: THE RESULT OF IT - v6 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.
While the church is gathered together praying, Peter is:
• in prison
• between 2 soldiers
• in chains
• SOUND ASLEEP!
That is the kind of peace that Noah had when the rain started to fall.
That is the kind of peace that Daniel had in the lions den
That is the kind of peace that the 3 Hebrew Children had in the fiery furnace
That is the kind of peace that you can have when troubles come your way if you are a child of God!
Peter knew that his Lord was in control! What is the worse thing that could have happened to him? He would have been beheaded and went to be with his Savior! Meanwhile back at the church they were STILL PRAYING!!
Remember the sermon thought “What If His People Prayed”? Well we will see in the next few verses that “When God’s People Pray”:
Prayers Will Be Answered
People Will Be Amazed
Power Will Appear
A. Prayers Will Be Answered - v7 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. 8 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.
The Angel of the Lord appeared before Peter. He struck Peter on the side and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Notice this - the angel said unto him, “Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals”Peter was not worried about anything... He has kicked his shoes off and made himself at home! Folks, Amazing things happen when God’s people pray.
You may be facing an issue that seems impossible… PRAY!
There may be times when you don’t feel like praying… PRAY!
There may be times when you don’t think you are getting through… PRAY!
When God’s people pray those prayers WILL BE ANSWERED!! Something else will happen when those prayers are answered: People will be amazed:
B. People Will Be Amazed
Many people may be amazed at answered prayers. The enemies may be amazed. The person the prayer is about may be amazed. Those who are praying the prayer may be amazed. We find that that is the case in this story. Notice:
1) The People Of God Will Be Amazed - v9 {Peter} went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.10 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. 11 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.
At first Peter didn’t even know what was going on. Some may call into question a lack of faith on Peter’s part. But we need to remember who we are talking about:
A man who witnessed many miracles of Jesus.
The man who walked on water.
The man who preached at Pentecost
A man who performed several miracles himself.
I think that Peter’s confusion may have been as a result of the deep sleep that he was experiencing. He may have thought that he was having a dream. Regardless, he came to himself and realized that the Lord had brought him out! Now we come to what I consider to be one of the most entertaining and comical portions of scripture in the entire Word Of God:
v12 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. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 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. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17 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.
Peter went to John Mark’s mother’s house This is where the church was gathered to pray. He knocked on the door of the gate A girl named Rhoda heard his voice and was so excited that she didn’t even let him in. Rhoda runs into the house and says PETER IS HERE! Those who were present said “Rhoda, you are CRAZY” She insisted and they assumed it was his Angel. So while the argument is going on Peter is still outside knowing on the gate!
Warren Weirsbe said, “God could get Peter out of a prison, but Peter couldn’t get himself into a prayer meeting.”
When they finally got up and saw peter they were astonished? Peter called them over and explained the miraculous work that God had done in prison. Why did God do this…? BECAUSE OF THEIR PRAYER!! Even so, they were ASTONISHED when they saw that God had done what they had asked Him to do! Many times we call on God to move in a mighty way and when He does we just can’t seem to grasp the fact that He heard our prayer. Too many times we attempt to explain away the miracles of God in our lives. We give coincidence more credit than we do God. But our God does work in marvelous ways and we will be AMAZED by His power in answered prayers. We should not only be amazed, we should be humbled at the fact that we can go before the throne and make our request known to Almighty God And also that He would hear and move in such a mighty way! When Prayers are answered The People Of God Will Be Amazed. We also see that:
2) The Enemies Of God Will Be Amazed - 18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
At daybreak the soldiers knew that they were going to have a bad day. There was on soldier chained to Peter on the left and one on the right. They woke up and were amazed at the fact that PETER WAS GONE! I can see them looking around, scratching their head and asking:
WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED?
WHERE DID HE GO
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
There was probably a great deal of fear because they knew they would be held responsible. When the power of God moves in your life, your enemies will be amazed! We have the account of the showdown on Mt. Carmel between Elijah & the prophets of Baal. They had cried out to their false gods all day to no avail. Elijah prayed a short simple but powerful prayer and God poured fire from heaven, you better believe that in the short period between the prayer and their death… THEY WERE AMAZED AT THAT ANSWERED PRAYER!!
People may look at you and think that you are wasting your time when you cry out to God. But if you will remain steadfast and faithful to the Lord your enemies will be amazed at what God can & will do in your life!
When God’s People Pray, Prayers Will Be Answered, People Will Be Amazed and we also see that:
C. Power Will Appear - v19 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. 20 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. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 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.
We have already seen great power in Peter’s release from prison, but here we will see even more. When word got to Herod that Peter had escaped. He ordered a search for Peter. He sentenced the guards to death. In shame he left Judea for Caesarea. The people of Tyre and Sidon met with Herod. Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them.The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”The Angel of the Lord smote Herod because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.
Our Adversary may come against this church. He may come against our brethren. What can/should we do? PRAY WITHOUT CEASING! There may be troubles that come. Remember that God is in control When the time is right GOD WILL WIPE OUT OUR ENEMIES JUST LIKE HE DID FOR PETER! HIS POWER WILL APPEAR!!! So I ask you, do you want the power that the early church possessed? Are you willing to join together and cry out to God for your brothers and sister in Christ? Do you have a burden for the lost?Do you have a passion for the saved? Let us join together and see what will happen when God’s people pray?
For thirty-one years, C.H Spurgeon filled the pulpit at the Metropolitan Tabernacle He preached twice each Sunday and hundreds and hundreds of people came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ each year and were baptized. What was it that gave this church its power?Well, one Sunday, five young college students who were preparing for the pastoral ministry. They visited the Metropolitan Tabernacle to hear Charles Spurgeon speak. While waiting for the church doors to open, Charles Spurgeon himself approached them and asked if they would like to see the powerhouse of this great church. Of course the young preachers were delighted at the opportunity to see the secret to the power behind the great church. Spurgeon led them through a long hallway, down a stairway, and cautiously opened a door at the bottom. What the five young men saw astonished them. Looking through this open doorway, they saw about 700 church members bowed in prayer asking God for His blessing on the upcoming service. “That,” said Spurgeon “is our powerhouse!”
Again I ask... What If His People Prayed?
