The church at this point in the book of Acts has witnessed persecution. They have witnessed the arrests of apostles (Acts 5). There has been a scattering of the people to escape the situation in Jerusalem. Stephen has become the first martyr of the church and James, the brother of John, has been arrested and beheaded. These major events lead to the testimony of the church as it sees another one of their own leaders (Peter) fall into the hands of King Herod. As Peter awaits his public execution it should be noted that because of the miraculous escape of the apostles in chapter 5, Peter is surrounded by four squads of soldiers (that is 16 soldiers). Two are constantly chained to him while the other two members of the squad stand guard. It is clear that Herod wants no escape this time.
However, we witness something here in Acts chapter 12 that is a beautiful picture of the church. Scripture tells us that they are gathering together in the homes and praying. They are praying constantly. Through their own experiences as a church they are taking the opportunity to communicate and plead with God for the release of Peter. They are focused. They are purposeful. They are praying with a sense of urgency. They understand the magnitude of Peter's arrest and do not want to see him suffer the same fate as James did.
Peter, on the other hand, is at peace. Scripture tells us in Acts 12 that on the night before he was to die, he was sleeping. In fact, he is sleeping so soundly that the angel of the Lord has to do more than nudge him to wake him up! He had to speak quite loudly and shake him a bit. It is a testimony of faith that no matter what happens that next day, that Peter is fully trusting in the Lord. Either he will be freed and delivered from Herod's prison, or he will be with the Lord in glory if he is martyred. The former occurs through a miraculous event and joins those (the church) that had been praying for him. If you have not read the account of this story, I encourage you to do so!
It is such an encouragement to read about the examples in Acts 12 that are set before us as a church today. There is no doubt that the church's testimony is to be one that resounds in our hearts as we strive to be a body of Christ that is a body that prays. Prayer is not a program. It is not just a meeting that we have. Rather it is an essential part of who we are as followers of Christ. We as a church in this day can grab ahold of the examples in scripture and have prayer be focused and purposeful. It should be something that is at the very core of who we are as believers. We can be the church that prays with urgency. An urgency that looks at our days and realizes that they are uncertain. An urgency that pleads with the Creator of the universe to accomplish his will here on earth. We can be a church that looks with great anticipation upon the predetermined gatherings to pray and comes with a peace that surpasses all understanding. God gave us the gift of prayer! He gave us testimonies of people long ago to be an example for us today. Let us pick up the torch that is being passed to us and run with it. I am excited to see prayer become an essential piece of everything we are not for our own glory but for the glory of God! For He is worthy to be praised!
The challenge is out there. Look for opportunities to pray with other believers and pray with passion, joy, purpose, focus and urgency! For you are communicating with your Creator and He hears your every word! What an amazing gift!
Be a blessing to someone today! God's peace be with you!
Humbly,
Ryan Zurbriggen
No comments:
Post a Comment