Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Acts 12 and Psalm 80

“Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” (v5)

There’s that wonderful word, “but”, again. Herod was trying to win some popularity with the Jewish religious authorities. Seeing how enthused they were when he executed the apostle James, he seized Peter, intending to do the same. To all intents and purposes, it appeared that all was lost for Peter. He had no prospect of being liberated, and every expectation that he was about to be martyred.

BUT, the church was earnestly praying to God for him. And the rest is history – like we just read in Acts 12.

How wonderful that God chooses to partner with His people for the establishment of His Kingdom on earth. Did God need the Church’s prayers? No. But, for His own reasons, God has chosen to include His people in His work on earth; and so, as the Church prayed fervently and constantly for Peter’s release, God responded.

As David Guzik writes in his commentary, “Earnest prayer has power not because it in itself persuades a reluctant God. Instead, it demonstrates that our heart cares passionately about the things God cares about, fulfilling Jesus’ promise If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you (John 15:7).

Life application: As we in South Africa await the results of our national election, it feels to many that the wellbeing of our nation hangs in the balance. Many have very real fears for the future. Let’s remember that we are not powerless as the Church of Jesus Christ. Let’s earnestly and consistently pray for the wellbeing of our nation and trust the LORD to deliver us from evil and to establish His Kingdom among us.