Never Underestimate the Power of Prayer
Before I begin, I want to say that this last week has been important for our church. We came to the knowledge of the fact that our numbers have been lacking. (Like that was hard to see!) We decided to start growing as a church not simply talking about it. We were shown that there are people out there who have taken notice of our church and they are praying for us!
I said each week I wanted to talk about things to help us grow along the way. I have heard and do not argue that a mission minded church is a growing church. But last Wednesday I taught that we are babes in Christ and we need to grow but first in Spirit and in Truth. (We need to grow in the love and power of Holy Spirit and the Knowledge of the Word of God. We must grow in grace before we will grow in numbers.
This week we are going to start on a journey, one that will start us on that way of growth. I want to say this morning a praying church is a growing church.
NEVER UNDESTIMATE THE POWER OF A PRAYING CHURCH!
Acts 12:1–19 (KJV)
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. 18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
Never underestimate what a praying church can do!
1. Verse 5 Simon Peter was then taken and he was “next on the list”
a. James the Brother of john was executed the day before.Peter was bound with 2 chains, sleeping between 2 soldiers, his friend a fellow Apostle had died the day before, He was to die the next morning
b. How well would you be sleeping in these circumstances?
c. The church was praying for him constantly
Never underestimate what a praying church can do!
2. A light came on in the cell
a. a Light shined in the cell
b. the Angel struck peter on the side said get up!
c. The chains fell off, he was led out the door past the guards, past the next station then the door opened by itself and Peter thought he was having a good dream!
Never underestimate what a praying church can do!
3. Finally outside peter knew he was being prayed for!
a. He went to Mary’s house there was where they were praying for him there stood liitle Rhoda watching for soldiers
b. He knocked on the door Rhoda ran inside and told everyone! (They said she was a nut!)
c. He kept knocking till they looked out again and there he was!
Never underestimate what a praying church can do!
Sometimes even the church underestimates their own power!
James 4:2 (KJV)
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.