“And when he saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded further and arrested Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread [the Passover week].
And when he had seized [Peter], he put him in prison and delivered him to four squads of soldiers of four each to guard him, purposing after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent prayer for him was persistently made to God by the church (assembly). Acts 12:3-19
This year I made a decision to change the way I pray! I can’t pray the same way I prayed in 2014. There must be a change! So I started praying for others more frequently. I decided to take it seriously. I always knew it was the right thing to do but this year I got more serious about it. And then I came across the scripture above! Let me show you how it challenged me:
Peter was in deep trouble. Herod had arrested him and was planning to kill him to please the Jews! But the bible tells us,
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12:5
When I read this I realized something, our prayers have power, whether we are praying into situations we are facing in our own lives or whether we pray for people, our prayers have power.
The church prayed and Peter was delivered out of prison! He was rescued out of Herod’s hands! But get this, the church didn’t understand the power of prayer because when Peter came to their door they didn’t believe Rhoda! It can’t be so with us. We must pray with the understanding that our prayers are powerful and God answers prayer. I want to encourage you to pray for someone. Your prayer is important. It will make a difference in that person’s life.
The enemy doesn’t want us praying for each other.
Think about that! He too knows the power of prayer and he will do all he can to keep us from praying for each other. I will not stand for it, will you? Your prayer has the power to change someone else’s life!
Declare with me,
When I pray things happen.
My prayers have power.
When I pray chains are broken.
When I pray angels respond.
One last thing I want to share with you is this:
Peter was in the most hopeless of situations.
He was guarded by four squads of soldiers of four soldiers each.
He had two soldiers in his cell!
He was bound with two chains in his cell!
There were soldiers outside his cell!
If that is not a hopeless situation I don’t know what is. But it is through prayer Peter was set free! No matter how hopeless it seemed he was set free because of prayer! And that for me shows me the power of prayer. Don’t despise the power of prayer! When you pray for yourself or are praying for someone else, know your prayer has power! God is so good……Amen!
Rolain
kingspeech 
God is good!
He is indeed Professor!
Thank you for the reminder and encouragement to pray for others. I’m sharing this on my fb. It’s powerful and to the point.
Thank you Emily!