God’s faithfulness, living faith and focussed prayer
But constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church (Acts 12:5).
It is interesting that whilst the church in Jerusalem constantly prayed for Peter, he was fast asleep. What seemed to be his last evening on earth was not going to interrupt a good night’s rest! Even the angel had to make an effort to wake him up.
The circumstances surrounding Peter’s imprisonment and his deliverance from king Herod teach us a lot about God’s faithfulness, living faith and focussed prayer.
First, we have God’s faithfulness. The Lord had a purpose for Peter’s life. He had told him at the end of John’s Gospel, “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish” (John 21:18). No matter how powerful the monarch or tyrant, they cannot overrule the will of God. Peter was going to die a martyr. But it was not Herod who decided when that would happen; it was God. Our times are in His hands.
Peter had a living faith in Christ. He had not always listened carefully to what the Lord said. More than once, Peter thought he knew better. Even when God was calling him to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, he said, “Not so Lord” (Acts 10:14). But that was not the case in Herod’s jail. There he proved his living faith by falling asleep. Like David, he was saying,
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).
Living faith is not always expressed by activity, but by trusting God throughout our lives with all its testing circumstances.
The church was focussed on praying for Peter, continually asking for him to be delivered from Herod. Last night I was at our local prayer meeting – on Zoom, of course – and we prayed for many different people who were on our hearts. It is incredible how the mention of someone’s name brings them vividly before our minds. And I thought of how, when we approach the Throne of Grace with people’s names on our lips, the whole of their beings are embraced in the mind and care of God. We remember much; He knows everything. And God will fulfil His perfect will in each of our lives. We should be clearly focussed on what we will pray about in our private prayers and in our prayer meetings. And we should not overlook the importance of single-issue prayer meetings.
What was extraordinary about this event in Peter’s life was that faith was expressed in prison, but faith did not fill the prayer meeting! But thank God for Rhoda, who was filled with gladness for answered prayer when she saw Peter, but doubted by her fellow Christians (Acts 12:14). God indicates Peter’s trust in the Lord as he slept soundly. He also tells us about the importance of constantly praying for the things He lays on our hearts and assures us He will answer our prayers, even when we doubt. Finally, He teaches us to have a confidence in Him that believes He will listen and respond to our prayers. As we approach the wonderful Throne of Grace, may we come boldly, pray clearly, appeal constantly, trust completely, rest peacefully, praise thankfully and worship gladly the One who says, “Ask in My name” (John 14:13).
