Pray For The Supernatural

In The Word

Read: Acts 12:1-24

 

 

Peter’s Arrest and Deliverance

12 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm. And he had James the brother of John executed with a sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter as well. (Now these were the days of Unleavened Bread.) When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, turning him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending onlyafter the Passover to bring him before the people. So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made to God intensely by the church.

On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near Peter, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Put on your belt and strap 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 continued to follow, and yet he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 Now when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, a slave woman named Rhoda came to answer.14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to James and the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.

Death of Herod

20 Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one mind they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was supported with grain from the king’s country. 21 On an appointed day, after putting on his royal apparel, Herod took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. 22 The people repeatedly cried out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation


Walking In The Word

 

Although the gospel was continuing to spread in the land, there was still persecution in the land as well. The devil was using people to try to silence the voice of the believers and instill fear inside of them. One of those being used was King Herod. He was mistreating Christians and even put to death James, the brother of John. Herod saw that persecution of Christians was bringing joy to the Jews who didn’t believe in Jesus. So because of this, he went after the apostle Peter and had him arrested. Peter was thrown in prison with sixteen guards around him. The King didn’t believe in Jesus but understood that Peter operated under divine power, thus placing that many guards around him. Prayer was being made fervently for Peter during this time, and God spiritually released Peter from jail.

Maybe you are praying for a situation in your life or someone else’s right now. Be like the early disciples and pray constantly, passionately, and with faith for God to move. Just like we read today, God can supernaturally make chains fall off, cause the enemy to sleep all around you, and release those held captive. Don’t give up on what you’re believing God to do, and, when the results come, don’t be surprised. Take time to thank the Lord and give Him all the honor and glory. Herod was punished for taking the glory of God for himself. When He does the supernatural, don’t forget that it’s all Him!

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