Surprised by Prayer TEXT: Acts 12:1-5 HAVE YOU EVER BEEN “SUPRISED” AT HOW GOD ANSWERED A PRAYER?

Surprised by Prayer Acts 12:1-3 1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Surprised by Prayer Acts 12:4-5 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. 5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

Herod in History All the Herods – from the same family of Edomites (from Esau) All were despised rulers – cruel, vicious One attempted to kill the infant Jesus Another participated in the death of Jesus Now he executes James Seeing it pleased the Jews – he arrests Peter

What can the church do? Facing persecution – what can the church do? Run him out of office? No. Vote him out at the next election? No. Their response – prayer Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. This is the 1 st “Prayer Meeting”

1 – Their prayer was intense “Constant” - Without ceasing Greek word – stretched out – many people, long time, with great emotion James 5:16b The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Luke 11:8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

2 – They were united in prayer “Of the church” - All the congregation, all the members Church is not a building, a street address Church is a planned, called assembly for a specific purpose Public prayer Must be heard Should be short to hold attention Not preach a sermon Not make announcements

3 – The prayers were real “To God” - Who else would you pray to? Self – like the Pharisees did Others – so they will be impressed No vain repetitions Matthew 6:7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

4 – The prayers were specific We often use generic terms Bless, be with, help Watch over What do you want God to do? Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

4 – The prayers were specific What did they pray for? Peter's life to be spared? Peter's saftey while in prison? Peter's release from prison? Peter's entry to heaven when he dies? We must pray in faith James 5:16 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

5 – We must pray in faith James 5:16 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

5 – We must pray in faith They did not know HOW God would answer their prayer First – Rhoda is “beside herself” - crazy, mad Next – Must be his angel (spirit) – he died Finally – someone opened the door Saw Peter – they were “astonished”

5 – We must pray in faith A little faith goes a long way Matthew 17:20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Time for a prayer meeting? We are not facing the persecution and harm that they were facing We have our own set of problems that threaten the church and our faith Let us learn the lessons from this prayer meeting in Acts 12

Time for a prayer meeting? Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Their prayer was intense They were united in prayer The prayers were real The prayers were specific We must pray believing