Power of Fervently Praying

12 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Acts 12:1-7

Peter's miraculous escape from prison came from the church fervently praying for his release. Peter and the church believed in the miracle and trusted God would deliver Peter from prison. In today's world, due to the fast pace of life and many distractions, we expect God to know and answer our needs. Scripture is clear that we must ask, seek, and knock, but as believers, we expect and wait. The church received the miracle in Acts because they asked, sought, and knocked. We must get back to understanding the power of fervently praying for a miracle and believing it will be done. The world has made prayer the last resort, but it should be where we go first. Let us get back to praying and earnestly praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Pastor Kendra Scott