Prayer

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Acts 12: 5

Prayer is the link that connects us with God. It is the bridge that spans every gulf and carries us safely over every chasm of danger or need.

Think of the significance of this story of the first-century church: Everything seemed to be coming against it, for Peter was in prison, the (religious) Jews appeared triumphant, Herod still reigned supreme, and the arena of martyrdom was eagerly awaiting the next morning so it could drink the apostle’s blood. But the church was earnestly praying to God for him. So what was the outcome? The prison was miraculously opened, the apostle freed, the Jews bewildered, and as a display of God’s punishment, wicked King Herod “was eaten by worms and died.” And rolling on to even greater victory, “the word of God grew and multiplied” (vv. 23 – 24).

Do we truly know the power of our supernatural weapon of prayer? Do we dare use it with the authority of a faith that not only asks but also commands? God baptizes us with holy boldness and divine confidence, for He is looking not for great people but people who dare to prove the greatness of their God! But the church was earnestly praying.

• A.B. Simpson, taken from Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman and Updated by Jim Reimann, Zondervan, 1997

In your prayers above everything else, beware of limiting God, not only through unbelief but also by thinking you know exactly what He can do. Learn to expect the unexpected, beyond all that you ask or think.

So each time you intercede through prayer, first be quiet and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, how He delights in Christ His Son, and your place in Him – then expect great things.

• Andrew Murray, taken from Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman and Updated by Jim Reimann, Zondervan, 1997

Our prayers are God’s opportunities