The Key

the plot…

Acts, chapter 12:1-5

“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He KILLED James the brother of John with the SWORD, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivered him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison………”

Ut Ohhhhhh. This isn’t looking good. This isn’t looking good at all. One strong follower of Jesus, beloved James,  has just been slain by a sword and another has just been captured, sent to the really yucky jailhouse accompanied by 16 prison guards. Can you imagine Peter’s pain and anguish? His fear? I’m sure he said he was willing to live and DIE for Jesus, “but was it honestly going to end this way???” he may have been thinking. “Really?”

Door locked.

                          Impossibilities all around.

                                                                                 No way out of this one.

“BUT EARNEST PRAYER FOR HIM WAS MADE TO GOD BY THE CHURCH.”

Let me repeat:

“BUT EARNEST PRAYER FOR HIM WAS MADE TO GOD BY THE CHURCH.”

Jen and I were doing devotions together the other day. I shared with her about a time, long ago where an evil force was coming against our family. Yes, sin was “crouching at our door.”  Temptation.

(Sounds like a good movie, doesn’t it?) Well, it wasn’t a movie. I wish it were. 

I looked at the “what ifs” and have to admit I was afraid. I feared the worst and felt a little helpless. I ran to my bedroom, closed and locked the door and hit the floor, on my knees. My bible open on my bed, I searched for scriptures and read them aloud. I cried out to God and asked Him to intervene. Was this a one-time serious meeting with my Abba Father?  No, it was not. This situation took many an encounter with God and my knees calloused. “His word is true.” “God is my helper.” “Please God, help.” I prayed, over and over. 

EARNEST PRAYER WAS MADE TO GOD. By me, an integral part of the body of Christ, who has many weapons to use for victory in this life on earth.

What seemed like a tightly locked door

                                                                             suddenly opened for me.

                                                                                                                                     Just like that.

And I never would have guessed the answer would come as it did. Shocking! Our God is a God who hears, answers and often times surprises us! 🙂

back to the prisoner….

v6: “Now when King Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an ANGEL OF THE LORD stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “GET UP QUICKLY.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the ANGEL said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting. 

When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gather together and were PRAYING.

IMAGINE THAT!!  🙂

And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.”

prayer………….the key to unlocking difficult doors.

I hope you will listen to this video. Years ago Amy Grant sang a song about the above true and fascinating story. 

moral of story…………

NEVER,

                   I say “NEVER”

                                                underestimate the power of PRAYER!

OH, and

p.s………the ending (it’s a good one!)

Did you wonder about King Herod? How did he react? You’ll be surprised, my friends. There are just 2 more paragraphs left of this story. Get out your bible and read Acts 12: beginning at v 18. Yep….great ending! 🙂

Have a great day.