Since the world changed with the spread of Covid-19, the world is imprisoned physically and spiritually more than before. We are in desperate need for a mighty move of the Lord to set the captives free and release the prisoners from darkness and death. God is saying to the Church “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). In Acts 12, Peter was kept in prison, just as James but ‘the difference was that earnest prayer to God was made for Peter by the church, and as a result, Peter was set free.’
Prayer makes the difference in this context and it is a reminder of the difference the prayer of the church could make today (James 4:2). God designed us, His people to participate in His mission. There is more danger, decline, and death that threatens the people of God if we remain uncooperative and disobedient. God is calling the people of God not to take for granted the pandemic and other events of our days, as though there is nothing we can do about them. We are called to pray as we participate with God in changing events bearing in mind that prayer is the most natural response of a heart that is dependent upon God.
To stop the pandemic, we have to pray. In counting upon God to come out of our personal and corporate prisons – of pandemic, fear, sickness, anxiety, worry, anger, unforgiveness, we have to pray about it. The motive of the early church about prayer was a sense of dependence on God. Just as the death of James suddenly crystalized in their minds that they had a part to play in God’s mission and program. They went to earnest prayer for Peter to be set free. God is still in the business of responding to prayer.
Please read 2 Chronicles 7:14 out loud: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
In humility, let us spend time repenting of our lack of humility before God individually, between one another, as a church, and as a citizen of our nations.
Let us confess our sin of prayerlessness and times when prayer has been our “last resort” instead of your first response. We confess the prayerlessness of the church for lack of a consistent practice as community of believers.
Lord, we turn from our wicked ways and ask for Your forgiveness. We mean to turn towards You Lord withour full attention.
Lord, in faith, we trust in Your ability and stand upon Your promise to heal our land.
We pray and overcome the dangers that beset us as a nations and churches
Father God, there are many that are imprisoned physically and spiritually. We ask for a mighty move of the Lord to set the captives free and release the prisoners from darkness.
May Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!
Praise the Lord! The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
Awaken Your church to taking back the inheritance that is ours in Christ Jesus. In His Most Powerful Name, Amen.
Neither the people praying (Acts 12:12, 15) nor Peter himself (12:9) initially believe his release. Lord help us to believe in Your power to set us free from the pandemic
When a woman joyfully proclaims his survival (Acts 12:14), others faithlessly dismiss her testimony like that of the women at the tomb (Luke 24:11). O Lord, help us to believe in Your redeeming power.
Whereas Peter’s guards in 12:6, 10 fail to keep him in, in 12:13-15 his own supporters keep Peter out. O Lord, deliver the church from self destruction.
Whereas the Iron Gate in 12:10 opens of its own accord, in 12:14 the gate of the house where fellow-Christians pray for his safety remains barred to him. O Lord, break into piece every wall we have built around ourselves and help us to flow in Your redeeming power
Whereas Peter comes to his senses only when he recognises that the “vision” (12:9) is real (12:11), believers accuse Rhoda of madness (12:15) for declaring Peter’s presence. O Lord, empower us to function for you above every human accusations.
Those inside have been “knocking” in prayer that a figurative door may be “opened” for them (Luke 11:5-10), for Peter’s release (Acts 12:5, 12)—yet fail to believe that the answer to their prayers is knocking on their door. O Lord, open our ears and eyes to behold and believe in your miracles.
I pray for someone, you will not fail to believe that the answer to your prayers is knocking on your door.
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