The Prison That Could Not Hold Peter - Pastor Stuart Price

• 13/12/2018
• SLC Stuart Price

 

 

 

    Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God

    for him by the church. Acts 12:5.

 

    Here in the book of Acts 12:1 - 19 PLEASE READ this story to give you an

    understanding of what Luke wrote about Peter and the Power of a praying

    church. In the midst of this persecution the church is described as praying

    fervently to God. The Greek word here for fervent is (Ektenos) which means

    fully stretched.

 

    Earnestly fervently, intensely and constant prayer. A picture of to stretch

    out the hand, praying fervently without ceasing and not relaxing in effort.

    Straining and stretching to gain the answer. The word Ektenos, (Ek-ten-oce)

    is only used twice in the New Testament, here and also 1 Peter 1:22b “love

    one another fervently with a pure heart”

 

    The persecution of faith - Peter is in jail, a persecution, driven by

    Herod, had broken out in Jerusalem. In this persecution James was killed.

    Peter was also rounded up and imprisoned to face death.

 

    In the midst of all that is taking place, the church gathers together to

    pray. Prayer starts a hidden process. An angel is dispatched from Heaven,

    and enters the jail. Peter is under heavy guard, and asleep. Psalm 91:11

    ‘For He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your

    ways.”

 

    Prayer is a dynamic force

 

    Verse 5 “constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.”

 

    Verse 12 Peter came to the house of Mary, where many gathered together

    praying.

 

    A sure way to get results……….. The Praying Church, more power is released

    in corporate prayer.

 

    In Acts 4:23-31 we see this corporate prayer in action again. Peter and

    John had been released from prison and in Acts 4:23 and being let go, they

    went to their own companions, and had a prayer meeting verse 24 ‘They

    raised their voices to God with one accord.’

 

    Verse 31 and when they had prayed the place where they were assembled

    together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and

    they spoke the Word of God with boldness. ‘The force of prayer is greater

    than any possible combination of man-made or man-controlled powers because

    prayer is man’s greatest means of tapping into the infinite resources of

    God.’

 

    When we pray, we ought to believe that it is going to happen. We should not

    be shocked when God answers our prayers. When those who had been praying

    were told that Peter was free and standing at the door knocking, they

    thought that Rhonda was mad.

 

    ‘Putting Prayer into Practice’

 

    Take one of your prayer requests and start living in expectation of it,

    practicing active belief. Anticipate that what you pray for according to

    God’s Word, will happen, and make preparation for the answer. Please read 1

    John 5:14-15, study and think on the verse and then act on it.

 

    Pastor Stuart & Colleen