Prayer Produces! (because we need to be reminded)

Here we are given a picture, such a perfect example of the power of prayer to move mountains! Not only does God tell us to pray, He also gives us examples from His Word that should rock our socks off concerning the power of this mighty weapon of our warfare! And mighty weapon it is...

But, i also think about how absolutely foolish (from a worldly perspective) praying is in times of great need. I mean, what great result could possibly come from people talking to the air? Some may think that even if there were a god out there somewhere, would he really be interested in our problems, listen to our hearts cries, or have the ability/power to respond with help anyway? And, while i have mentioned these questions in light of the way that the world may look at prayer...i think that we believers sometimes battle with these thoughts, as well...don't we? Is God really listening to me? Does He really care about this need? Does He really have the power to move this mountain?

That's why this area of scripture is so important for us! We are shown what the church does in time of great need. And, we are shown what God does in response. And, it's truly amazing!

So, Peter is taken by Herod and put in prison! And, based on the fact that James was just killed days earlier, the situation looks equally grim for Peter. This is the crisis...the leader of the church is looking at certain death!
What do we find the church doing? Planning a rescue mission? Plotting a way of escape? No...we find them praying constantly! Now, i know that many of us agree that this should be the response of the believer in a time of crisis...but, i wonder how many of us find ourselves doing more of the plotting and planning in our own strength, rather than praying and enlisting God's strength? Even though 2 Corinthians says that prayer is one of mighty weapons of our warfare...powerful to tear down strongholds and arguments and demonic activity. Yet, I know that i am guilty of not praying but plotting and planning. And, i think that's the point here...God wants us to see what happened as a result of their constant praying for Peter so that we would do the same.

So Peter is imprisoned and heading for the sword. The church gathers together for constant prayer. So, what happened? Well, what happened was miraculous and super-natural! Only God could have done what was to come!
"Not by MIGHT, nor by POWER, but by MY SPIRIT, says the Lord of Hosts!" They prayed and God sent an angel to Peter's prison cell...the result was the super-natural deliverance of Peter, even catching him off guard! It's amazing what God can/will do if we would just go to Him in our times of need!
"The earnest (constant) prayers of a righteous man avail (produce) much!"

So, the church prayed constantly...and, God delivered Peter from prison and certain death! It's better than a movie! Yet, what have i (we) learned from this powerful story?
1) Prayer should be my first response! Not plotting or planning...praying!
2) Prayer releases God's power and wisdom! As ridiculous as it is, when we pray God moves...and, when God moves, super-natural, miraculous stuff follows!
3) Constant prayer avails (produces) much! This church prayed without ceasing. They didn't just pray once and then wait...they prayed constantly for Peter. As long as he was in prison, the church was praying! This is the kind of prayer and James says "produces much"!

So, God help me today to remember this area of scripture! May prayer be my first response...may i always remember that prayer enlists You and You can do anything! And, help me to persevere in prayer...to not give up too quickly, but to follow through til i see results!

Created over 2 years ago