Discover the incredible strength of earnest and unceasing prayer as we explore Peter's miraculous escape from prison—a testament to the church's fervent prayers. Learn why prayer should be a priority in our churches and lives, and how, through prayer, the impossible becomes possible. Remember, when you feel alone or face insurmountable challenges, Pastor Duane Brooks reminds you that prayer not only connects us to God but can also lead to miraculous deliverance. Have faith, and let your prayers be heard.
Message based on Acts 12:1-19.
Quotes:
Karl Barth: To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world. God is not deaf, but listens; more than that, he acts. God does not act in the same way whether we pray or not. Prayer exerts an influence upon God’s action. That is what the word “answer” means.
Duane Brooks: As long as the church is praying, the world has a prayer.
Ephesians 6:10-12: Finally brothers and sisters, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God because you know that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Duane Brooke: When God does what He can do, it is enough.
Sky Jethani: Why do we pray? To manipulate God? To give us positive thoughts? The reason we pray—through there are many—is because when we pray as the people of God, we are displaying the manifold wisdom of God to the powers and authorities in the heavenly realm. What we are declaring when we are on our knees is that we will not put our hope and trust in the things of this world. We will not put our trust and hope in our wealth, in our strength, in our wisdom, in our kings, in our politicians, in anything we possess, but we are putting our trust in God alone. And when the heavenly powers see that kind of foolish wisdom, they tremble because they do not comprehend it. When we are on our knees in prayer, we are revealing the counter-intuitive wisdom of the kingdom of God—the wisdom that says that power is not found in aggression or anger or war or swords or kings, but power is found in weakness. It was weakness that overcame the world to the Cross, and it is the weakness of the church in prayer that will make a mockery of the strength of the powers of this world.
Sidlow Baxter: Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons -- but they are helpless against our prayers
Ephesians 6:17-18: Pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and petitions. With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all of God’s people.
Thomas Watson: The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer fetched the angel.
James 1:5-8: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Bonhoeffer prays:
"Lord, it's dark in me; in you is day.
I am alone, but you will stay.
I am afraid; you never cease.
I am at war; in you is peace."
The fellow inmate believed . . .
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