Prayer is God's Work Place
On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. - Acts 12:21-23
Have you ever wondered why you should pray if God already knows the future? If He is sovereign over all things, what difference do our prayers really make? These are honest questions, and they bring us to a beautiful place where our faith meets God's power. Acts 12 sits right at that intersection.
There is a memorable way to say it. Prayer is God's work place. Just as we head to the office, the job site, the kitchen, or the classroom each day to get to work, our God is always at work too. He never sleeps, and He never stops. Again and again throughout Scripture, we find that He goes where His people are praying. As one commentator put it, "Prayer is the natural atmosphere of God's people and the normal context for divine activity." Nothing of eternal significance happens apart from prayer. The unstoppable mission of God advances through the unceasing prayers of His people. Every prayer is another brick in the building, another board in the frame, as God constructs what will last forever.
1. When Faith Is Costly, Pray Earnestly
Roughly ten years after Jesus ascended, King Herod Agrippa I decided to win favor with the crowds by attacking the young church. He had James, the brother of John, put to death by the sword. Then he arrested Peter, guarded by four squads of soldiers, planning to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
So what did the church do? They did not sit at home worrying or rush off to lobby officials. They prayed. And not just casually. Luke tells us they prayed earnestly. That word is striking. It is the same word used to describe Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. In the original language, it relates to a medical term for stretching a muscle to its very limit.
2. When Waiting on the Lord, Pray Expectantly
While the church poured out their hearts, what was Peter doing on the night before his likely execution? He was fast asleep, chained between two soldiers, with guards stationed at the door. Then an angel of the Lord appeared, struck Peter on the side, and woke him. The chains fell off. The angel told the groggy Peter to get dressed, put on his sandals, and follow. Peter was so disoriented he thought he was dreaming, even as they walked past the guards and the iron gate swung open on its own.
When Peter finally came to his senses, he gave God the glory and hurried to the house of Mary, where many believers had gathered to pray. And here is the gently humorous part. The servant girl Rhoda heard Peter's voice, got so excited she left him standing in the street, and ran to tell the others. They told her she was out of her mind. They concluded it must be his angel rather than Peter himself, even as they were praying for his release. Peter kept knocking until they finally opened the door and stood amazed.
3. When the Lord Acts, Respond Gratefully
The chapter closes with a sobering contrast. When morning came, Herod was furious and the missing prisoner could not be found. Later, dressed in royal robes that glistened in the sun, Herod gave a public speech, and the crowd shouted, "The voice of a god and not of a man." Herod soaked up the praise. Because he refused to give God the glory, the angel of the Lord struck him down.
Notice the beautiful reversal. When the angel struck Peter, Peter was set free. When the angel struck Herod, Herod breathed his last. When Peter preached, people came to life and gave God glory. When Herod was praised as a god, he was put to death. The lesson is clear. The Lord will not share His glory with any earthly ruler. In His own way and His own time, He acts.
And look at how the chapter ends: "the word of God increased and multiplied." The mission marched on. God took care of the opposition, He caused His word to spread, and He raised up and sent out new workers into the harvest.
Wherever you find yourself, pray. Pray earnestly when faith is costly. Pray expectantly while you wait. Respond gratefully when the Lord acts. Prayer truly is His work place, and He is inviting you to meet Him there.
Closing Prayer
Sovereign Lord, You never sleep and You never stop working on behalf of Your people. Teach me to pray earnestly when following You is hard, to wait expectantly when I cannot yet see Your hand, and to give thanks when You act. Free me from fear, and free those I love who feel bound. Let Your word continue to increase and multiply, and use even my simple prayers to build what will last forever. I trust Your timing and Your ways. In Jesus' name, amen.
Have you ever wondered why you should pray if God already knows the future? If He is sovereign over all things, what difference do our prayers really make? These are honest questions, and they bring us to a beautiful place where our faith meets God's power. Acts 12 sits right at that intersection.
There is a memorable way to say it. Prayer is God's work place. Just as we head to the office, the job site, the kitchen, or the classroom each day to get to work, our God is always at work too. He never sleeps, and He never stops. Again and again throughout Scripture, we find that He goes where His people are praying. As one commentator put it, "Prayer is the natural atmosphere of God's people and the normal context for divine activity." Nothing of eternal significance happens apart from prayer. The unstoppable mission of God advances through the unceasing prayers of His people. Every prayer is another brick in the building, another board in the frame, as God constructs what will last forever.
1. When Faith Is Costly, Pray Earnestly
Roughly ten years after Jesus ascended, King Herod Agrippa I decided to win favor with the crowds by attacking the young church. He had James, the brother of John, put to death by the sword. Then he arrested Peter, guarded by four squads of soldiers, planning to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
So what did the church do? They did not sit at home worrying or rush off to lobby officials. They prayed. And not just casually. Luke tells us they prayed earnestly. That word is striking. It is the same word used to describe Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. In the original language, it relates to a medical term for stretching a muscle to its very limit.
2. When Waiting on the Lord, Pray Expectantly
While the church poured out their hearts, what was Peter doing on the night before his likely execution? He was fast asleep, chained between two soldiers, with guards stationed at the door. Then an angel of the Lord appeared, struck Peter on the side, and woke him. The chains fell off. The angel told the groggy Peter to get dressed, put on his sandals, and follow. Peter was so disoriented he thought he was dreaming, even as they walked past the guards and the iron gate swung open on its own.
When Peter finally came to his senses, he gave God the glory and hurried to the house of Mary, where many believers had gathered to pray. And here is the gently humorous part. The servant girl Rhoda heard Peter's voice, got so excited she left him standing in the street, and ran to tell the others. They told her she was out of her mind. They concluded it must be his angel rather than Peter himself, even as they were praying for his release. Peter kept knocking until they finally opened the door and stood amazed.
3. When the Lord Acts, Respond Gratefully
The chapter closes with a sobering contrast. When morning came, Herod was furious and the missing prisoner could not be found. Later, dressed in royal robes that glistened in the sun, Herod gave a public speech, and the crowd shouted, "The voice of a god and not of a man." Herod soaked up the praise. Because he refused to give God the glory, the angel of the Lord struck him down.
Notice the beautiful reversal. When the angel struck Peter, Peter was set free. When the angel struck Herod, Herod breathed his last. When Peter preached, people came to life and gave God glory. When Herod was praised as a god, he was put to death. The lesson is clear. The Lord will not share His glory with any earthly ruler. In His own way and His own time, He acts.
And look at how the chapter ends: "the word of God increased and multiplied." The mission marched on. God took care of the opposition, He caused His word to spread, and He raised up and sent out new workers into the harvest.
Wherever you find yourself, pray. Pray earnestly when faith is costly. Pray expectantly while you wait. Respond gratefully when the Lord acts. Prayer truly is His work place, and He is inviting you to meet Him there.
Closing Prayer
Sovereign Lord, You never sleep and You never stop working on behalf of Your people. Teach me to pray earnestly when following You is hard, to wait expectantly when I cannot yet see Your hand, and to give thanks when You act. Free me from fear, and free those I love who feel bound. Let Your word continue to increase and multiply, and use even my simple prayers to build what will last forever. I trust Your timing and Your ways. In Jesus' name, amen.
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