Unlocking Prison Doors | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | May 15, 2023

Unlocking Prison Doors | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | May 15, 2023

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Acts 12:5

In the Book of Acts, the message of the Gospel collides with the ruling Jewish leaders of the day. Early Christians were persecuted, imprisoned and in some cases, martyred for their faith. During these days, tomorrow was not a guarantee if one professed Christ. No one knew this better than Peter who was thrown into prison by King Herod because this pleased the Jews. But in this moment, the church made “earnest prayer for him.” In the middle of the night, an angel from the Lord comes to rescue Peter and the chains fall from his hands. Peter exclaims “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. (Acts 12:11)

When we pray in earnest for something, we don’t know how the Lord will respond or how long it will take. For Peter, the whole church was rallied and prayed as one body. This is a great model for us today as we believe the Lord will hear the cry of His people when we are aligned with His will. There are no jail cells too impossible for Him to reach into. No chains too big for Him to break. Our task is to pray; to intercede and stand in the gap for the person or situation laid upon our hearts. It is up to God to bring the response. But we know when we pray, He does indeed hear. He is still a God who unlocks prison doors!

Question for today: Who or what am I praying in earnest for today? How do I keep pressing on in prayer despite not getting an answer?

Pray: Lord help us to pray earnest prayers. Big prayers. Help us to pray knowing You hear us and will answer in Your way and in Your time.

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