Acts 12

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. (verse 5)

The church did not bother with petitions, or “Free Peter” campaigns. They did not send people to ‘case out the joint’ and make plans to bust Peter out of prison. They did not bribe officials. They did not protest outside the building, blocking off traffic. Nope. They called a prayer meeting.

It isn’t bad to make plans, or to sign petitions for the release of prisoners, or any such thing. But it is bad if we fail to pray. For it is when we pray that God chooses to act on our behalf, and His ways of getting things done is remarkably efficient. I mean, how many of us could bring Peter out of the jail, removing his chains, bringing him past the armed guards, causing gates to open without keys or doormen, and after dark, when gates were typically bolted firmly shut? I know I could never do it. I don’t think a single person could, however adept at escapes they are. But God can. And God delights to answer the prayers of His children.

I know that I need to spend more time in prayer, diligently seeking for the things that are important to me. God delights to answer! And His answers are always more than I can hope or dream of.