Acts:12:5-17 (NKJV)
As we study various kinds of miracles, we begin to realize the scope of God’s plan for us. In my estimation of events during my life, the question of the possibility of miracles has not been about the ability of God to perform miracles. God’s power and love are indisputable. My personal struggle has centered around how miracles happen. I have looming questions I have struggled with throughout my life.
Why are some people healed while others are not healed?
Why do some people suffer catastrophic losses while others do not?
Why are some relationships healed by God?
There are other questions I’ve had and even more questions others have asked me. The short answer is that only God knows the reason. The long answer is that while I have prayed and asked for miracles, I have grown in knowledge of God and I begin to understand the complexities of God’s plan for us.
In today’s lesson we get a glimpse of an Angel that appeared to set Peter free. We will see that the Angel had a specific purpose and God had a plan.
In Acts 12:5 we read:
“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.”
The key word here is ‘constant prayer’. It’s also important to note who was doing the day and night constant prayer. The writer of Acts makes it clear that ‘the church’ was praying. That indicates the whole church was praying. Now, in most churches I’ve been a part of, there are prayer teams that are organized or the same people who pray. People talk about those who have the gift of prayer. I’m not sure I agree that some people do NOT have the gift of prayer.
Why?
Because prayer is simply talking to God and listening for God’s answer. God doesn’t always speak directly, but God is able to communicate to everyone in different ways. Every believer who wants to know God better CAN accomplish that by regularly talking to God.
In the case of the whole church praying for Peter, scripture makes it clear that everyone was praying. They were praying constantly around the clock.
In Acts 12:6 we get another clue:
“And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.”
Herod was planning to bring Peter ‘out’. According to Barnes’ Notes it was to put Peter to death (https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/acts/12.htm). Peter was about to be put to death and we read in Acts 12:7-10: “Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.”
Thousands of years later we know that God had big plans for Peter and God was not willing to let Herod’s plan get in the way. The simple solution for God was to do a miracle. In this case, the miracle involved sending an Angel into the prison to set Peter free.
Personally, I would have loved to have been there when Herod’s guards had to explain to Herod what happened.
We know while the miracle was happening, Peter had been asleep because the Angel struck him on the side to wake him up. Do you know how you feel when you are asleep and something happens? Unless you are a very light sleeper, you need a minute to acclimate to being awake. We know from Acts 5:9 that Peter thought he was having a vision. In Acts 5:11 we read, “And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
Notice scripture says God delivered Peter from Herod AND from what the Jewish people expected. God was still trying to get the attention of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Once he came ‘to’ Peter realized God had delivered him!
In Acts 5:12-17 we learn what Peter did next, “So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”
Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.”
After his release from prison, Peter went to a house where people were praying (probably for him). The young girl who went to the door heard Peter’s voice and announced he was at the door. She believed. However, the others did not believe. In today’s language they would have said, “You crazy, girl!”
But, Peter was persistent and he continued to knock. Finally they opened the door so Peter could explain what had happened. Peter then instructed them to go tell James (their leader) that an Angel had released Peter from prison.
What amazes me about miracles in scripture is that God heard us and answered in mighty ways. God heard the prayers of the saints. More people praying means a louder voice to God.
There IS strength in numbers.
I believe, miracles still happen today.
Our words speak to God and MOVE Him. Many voices REALLY move God.
When I was in Seminary I researched the life of Charles Spurgeon for a paper I was writing. Spurgeon was a preacher in the 1800’s in England. He had a very large congregation. What struck me most is that he said his success was because over a thousand people prayed in the basement while he preached. As he spoke, they sat in the boiler room (thus the term boiler room prayers) and prayed. He also said without those prayers he would not have been a success.
Prayer matters. When multiple people pray, it turns up the volume!
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Pray
Spend time praying today about something that is troubling you. Find at least 2-3 friends or family to pray the same prayer. You do not have to live in the same state. You can pray with anyone from any age group.
I used to lead children’s prayer groups and I’ve always had a sense that God loves it when children pray. He also loves it when older folks who have served Him pray. If you know a person of faith who is 80 or 90 who says they are bored, ask them to pray with you. You WILL be blessed!
Through the God of Miracles, Deb
Deborah Ireland Douglas Jones
acrazyjourney.com
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