Verse: Acts 12:5-7
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
Thoughts
The part of this passage I want to highlight for you today is "the church was earnestly praying." This situation was a bad situation. Really bad. Herod had just arrested and killed James, the brother of John. And then he arrested Peter. Imagine being an early part of this church. Everyone would have been close. It was a tight community. Then one of your leaders is killed. Then one of your main leaders is arrested in the same way.
What is happening? Can you imagine the fears and doubts it would create in your heart? Can you imagine the questions you would have for God? Or maybe you'd just feel like giving up?
This is the encouragement for you from this passage: no matter how bad it gets, we can always turn to God in prayer. He won't always do what you want, of course, but he will always hear you and draw near to you.
Your secret weapon against the pain of this world, and the fear that comes with it, is prayer. Nothing is too big to pray about, and nothing is too small to pray about.
So today, what struggle are you facing in your life? Take a moment right now and pray. Ask God to move in this situation in your life. And keep praying. See what God will do!