Many people are asleep to the possibility of miracles. Yet miracles do happen and they can happen to you. If you are going to be a real Christian, you also need to believe in miracles. Christianity is a supernatural faith. The God of the Bible is the God for whom nothing is impossible.
Often in the Bible, in history and in life, the greatest miracles happen when everything seems hopeless. We see in Acts 12 that the church and its leaders were under a very dark cloud of persecution, where everything seemed locked up. Maybe things in your life look locked up and circumstances seem impossible. But this story tells us that God is bigger than any circumstance, for a great miracle of deliverance was about to take place that would amaze everyone, including the church and Peter himself who took some time to wake up to what was happening to him. We too need to wake up to what is often involved in experiencing miracles.
1. Pray for the miracle (Acts 12:5; Daniel 10:12; 1 Kings 18:42; James 5:16-18 AMP; Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:5-7; Luke 18:1-5)
2. Believe for the miracle (Acts 12:6; Mark 4:38-40; Psalm 46:1-2,10)
3. Receive the miracle
a. We have to obey God (Acts 12:7-10)
b. We have to be alert to see when God is at work (Acts 12:11-12; Psalm 34:7)
c. We have to come to a new level of faith in God (Acts 12:13-17; Ephesians 3:20; Mark 9:24)
Apply
Do you pray persistent prayers without giving up until you see the miracle? Despite setbacks and difficulties, the church wasn't prepared to let sad events weaken their commitment to prayer. When Peter was also targeted for persecution, the church rose up as one to cry out to God for him (Acts 12:5). They understood that an attack on their leader Peter was an attack on them and God. So they joined together in the spiritual battle to resist all the work of the devil. And their prayers were about to make a big difference. Prayer is the key to breakthrough in tough times. But not any kind of prayer. Breakthrough prayer has to be persistent. You have to keep on praying until you see the answer (Daniel 10:12; 1 Kings 18:42; James 5:16-18 AMP; Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:5-7; Luke 18:1-5). One of the main reasons that individuals and churches do not see more prayer breakthroughs is because they often give up too soon. But we have to learn to press on in our prayers –for individual people, for families, finances, land and buildings, for healings and deliverance from every attack of the evil one. Many times, in different and difficult situations, we have to pray this type of earnest prayer called intercession. So to see miracles, keep on praying.
Have you learnt to be still and not to stress whilst you are waiting for your miracle, regardless of your circumstances? While the church was mobilised to prayer, Peter was sleeping (Acts 12:6). Peter knew his close friend James had just been executed and he knew what awaited him the next day. He was in miserable circumstances with no way out, yet he was sleeping! This sleep was the sleep of faith. It shows that Peter totally trusted God with his life and future. Clearly he had learnt something from his mentor and Lord. When a storm arose in Galilee and it seemed like the boat would sink, Jesus was fast asleep (Mark 4:38-40), and years later in a life threatening storm of a different kind Peter was able to sleep because he wasn’t afraid. He had come to a place of faith that God was in control of everything (Psalm 46:1-2,10).
Do you believe God is still the God of miracles and that you will see this in your own life, and in your family, church and nation? This miracle happened because of angelic intervention. Angels appear throughout the Bible and at decisive moments. This miracle shows us that we have to obey God. Peter had to respond and act in obedience to what God was saying and doing and we have to do the same (Acts 12:7-10). We also have to be alert to see when God is at work (Acts 12:11-12). We need to be much more aware of the Holy Spirit and be quick to perceive that God is with us (Psalm 34:7). And we have to come to a new level of faith in God (Acts 12:13-17). The disciples had faith to pray for Peter but couldn’t believe it when Rhoda told them that Peter was at the door, even though she had been too excited to let him in. They told her ‘you are out of your mind’ when she declared that the miracle they had been praying for had now happened. Peter was free even though there had seemed no way out. Every day we need to understand more of just how great God is (Ephesians 3:20). Thank God for the faith you have but maybe you need to pray: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). God can unlock any situation. He can open prison doors for individuals, just as the gates of the prison were opened for Peter. God can lead you to freedom beyond your prison doors of whatever holds you captive. God can open the door for families, for churches and nations. So let’s pray for miracles, believe for miracles and receive miracles.
