Prayer -- The Responsibility of the Church

April 11, 2010-Cowboy Church

Scripture Acts 12 - Peter's Miraculous Escape from Prison -

That's when King Herod got it into his head to go after some of the church members. He murdered James, John's brother. When he saw how much it raised his popularity ratings with the Jews, he arrested Peter--all this during the Passover Week, mind you--and had him thrown in jail, putting four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. He was planning a public lynching after Passover. Acts 12: 1-5 (MSG)



All the time Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously. Acts 12:5 (MSG)



Then the time came for Herod to bring him out for the kill. That night, even thought shackled to two soldiers, one on either side, Peter slept like a baby. And there were guards at the door keeping their eyes on the place. Herod was taking no chances! Acts 12: 6 (MSG)



Suddenly there was an angel at his side and light flooding the room. The angel shook Peter and got him up.: "Hurry!" The handcuffs fell off his wrists. (NIV - "Quick get up.")The Angel said "Get dressed. Put on your shoes" Peter did it. Then, "Grab your coat and let's get out of here." Peter followed him, but didn't believe it was really an angel--he thought he was dreaming. Acts 12:7-9

Past the first guard and then the second, they came to the iron gate that led into the city. It swung open before them on its own, and they were out on the street, free as the breeze. At the first intersection the angel left him going his own way. That's when Peter realized it was no dream. "I can't believe it--this really happened. The Master sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's vicious little production and the spectacle that the Jewish mob was looking forward to."
Still shaking his head, amazed, he went to Mary's house, the Mary who was John Mark;s mother. The house was packed with praying friends. When he knocked on the door to the courtyard, a young woman named Rhoda came to see who it was. But when she recognized his voice--Peter's voice! she was so excited and eager to tell everyone Peter was there that she forgot to open the door and left him standing in the street. .....Finally they opened up and saw him--and went wild! Peter put his hands up and calmed them down. He described how the Master had gotten him out of jail, then said,"Tell James and the brothers what's happened." He left them and went off to another place. Acts 12: 9-17 (MSG)



Prayer is the most important mission of church members.

• When we earnestly pray heaven comes to our rescue. The help of heaven is sent to our side. The power of heaven is dispersed to us. Acts 12:5 tells us that the church was praying for Peter. Although, Peter was facing certain death the next day, he was at peace. He trusted God completely.


• There is light in the darkness. In Verse 7 when the Angel appeared, it flooded the room with light


• God raises us up. The Presence, the Power, the Light of God will lift us up. God's Angel was an answer to the Church's prayers! Peter was lifted up and saved from certain death by Herod.


• When we pray-the chains that bind us drop off. Prayer looses the chains that bind us.


• Get ready to go! Peter did not hesitate, he obeyed the Angel, even though he thought he was dreaming.


• Follow me. We must follow God even if we do not understand. Peter followed even though he did not understand.


• God silences the opposition. God removed the chains, kept the guards from reacting, and rescued Peter from the prison and delivered him to the City where Peter could joined his friends at Mary's house. Mary's house was packed with friends praying for Peter.


• When God is answering our prayers he opens all doors for us. The chains fell from Peter. The guards did nothing to keep Peter from leaving the prison, and the gate to the city opened for Peter.


• In time we will understand all that God has done. We may not understand God's answer all the time, but our prayers are answered in God's time not our time.


• You will see the answer to prayer.


• Praise God for the great things he has done.

God answers the prayer of a sinner immediately, when he asks for forgiveness and God's saving grace.

As the Church it is our daily responsibility to pray for the church, the pastor, the elders and leadership, members and one another. Only when the church prays will our desires, dreams, goals and purpose be fulfilled. Our prayers are always heard by God and he answers our prayers, but in his time not our time.