Do We Really Pray? By Lane Jordan Burday
All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously. (Acts 12:5, MSG)
How have you and I prayed when we were under enormous pressure and hurting? Did we pray strenuously?
Pastor Daniel Floyd preached a sermon at our church on Sunday, and I was blown away. His words made me ask myself, Do I really pray, or do I think I pray?
In the verse above, Peter is under heavy guard (around 16 guards! I guess preaching the gospel is pretty dangerous for the population), and so the church is praying for him.
James, the brother of John, had just been martyred, and Herod decided to arrest Peter next. Why? Because thousands were coming to Christ, being baptized, and changing the ‘status quo.’ The leaders of the Jews were so upset they wanted these new converts gone. And Herod wanted peace and to gain support from the Jewish leaders.
Peter was chained between two guards, and his trial was the next day. But he was sleeping! The last time I was in a crisis, I couldn’t sleep or eat. What an example Peter is to us: to give it all to God, release the results, and not let pressure affect us.
But then Acts 12:5 says that the church earnestly prayed to God for him. Do we pray first when we hit pressure, or do we first go to our phone to text for help or call someone who can help? And then, how do we pray? This church gives us an example of how to pray: with everything and in full connection with God.
I love how this story continues. An angel of the Lord appeared to Peter and woke him up, telling him to get dressed and to follow him. Immediately, the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. They then walked past guards, and the city gates were opened, so Peter and the angel walked the length of one street. Suddenly, Peter realized where he was and knew that God had sent him and the angel and rescued him!
Peter went to the house where they met and knocked on the door. And this is the humorous part. No one believed the servant girl that Peter was at the door! In other words, they were praying earnestly but not believing God heard them! But God had heard them and saved Peter.
Where are you and I today? Are we too busy being too busy, or are we remembering to pray, really pray, to God?
God will show up in many ways: in a burning bush for Moses, in explaining a dream for Joseph, in a stone against a giant, in parting the Red Sea, or in delivering Peter.
I pray you stay on track with God daily so that you know Who to pray to earnestly when the pressure comes.
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Are you longing for some fellowship and encouragement? We’d love for you to join us at our Level-Up Women’s Conference May 3rd from 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.. This year, our guest speaker is Purpose Author Beth Townsend. Worship will be led by Renee Rollins. Also speaking: Lisa Burkhardt Worley, Lane Jordan Burday, Aurora Ortega Geis, Michelle Burden, Onyx Conklin, Zabbie Mikasobe, Rosemary Legrand, and Emily House. We will be leveling up purpose, leveling up pampering, and leveling down pain. The conference is covered by prayer so we know you will be blessed. Register on Eventbrite: https://2025LevelUp.eventbrite.com