When the Church Prays
Acts 12:1-24
Matthew 18:19 (NIV)
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
Acts 12:1-3, (ESV)
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
Acts 12:5 (ESV)
So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
1st When the church prays miracles happen
Acts 12:1-3,
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
Acts 12:6-11, (ESV)
Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a
vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, "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 12:12-15,
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but
ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, "You are out of your mind."
Acts 12:15,
They said to her, "You are out of your mind." But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, "It is his angel!"
Psalm 91:11, (NIV)
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
Matthew 18:10, (NIV)
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Hebrews 1:14, (NIV)
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Acts 12:16-17, (ESV)
But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers." Then he departed and went to another place.
2nd When the church prays God does more than we ask
Acts 12:1, (ESV)
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.
Acts 12:23, (ESV)
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him (Herod Agrippa) down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
Matthew 6:33, (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
3rd When the church prays the church grows
Acts 12:24, (ESV)
But the word of God increased and multiplied.
Acts 12:24, (MSG)
Meanwhile, the ministry of God's Word grew by leaps and bounds.
