Focused Prayer

 October 23, 2024

I’ve been thinking about an incident recorded in Acts 12, where Peter has been imprisoned by Herod, and presumably is awaiting execution. On this particular evening, he’s sound asleep, chained between two guards…maximum security. But…

“prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him.” —Acts 12:5 

I LOVE this verse! See how it describes the church’s prayers: “Without ceasing.” “By the church.” “Unto God.” “For him.” This was focused determination. The entire church was involved. They didn’t quit. These weren’t vague “thinking of you” prayers. Peter was the subject. When we pray with that kind of focus, God does amazing things.

Look at Peter. He’s asleep in a prison, like a lot of people, unbelievers and Christians alike. So many are shackled to habits, false teaching, depression, emotional, psychological, and spiritual jailers…and they don’t even know it because they’re asleep. They need an angel to slap them alongside the head and command them to get up and get out of jail, just as this angel did for Peter. And let’s not forget that sometimes we ourselves are Peter. If you’re sleeping, may God’s angel come and slap you awake. If you’re already awake, follow him out of your personal prison into the freedom Jesus offers.

So, though Linda and I are not the entire church, we are a part of it, and when we hear of a need are praying…without ceasing…unto God…for you.