January 16 2024
Posted by Chicago Tabernacle

“After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” Acts 12:4-11 (NIV)

Life is filled with moments when we feel stuck. Maybe it’s being sick, struggling with finances, feeling alone, or not knowing what to do in a difficult situation. There’s something special about how the church responded to a moment of hopelessness: they prayed! Prayer has a powerful way of unlocking doors, setting us free, and bringing about breakthroughs in our lives and others. 

In tough times, it’s easy to focus on the problems, like the walls of a prison closing in. But Acts 12:5 shows us a better way. Instead of looking at the problem, the church looked up to the problem-solver. 

So, let Acts 12:5 be a guide for you. Instead of staring at the walls closing in, look up to the One who can make those walls crumble. In prayer, find peace, and strength, and remember that God hears, cares, and has the power to rescue you. The problems might be real, but the God who answers prayers is even more real and incredibly powerful.

Prayer and Reflection:

Are you facing something that makes you feel trapped? Are worries or hard times making you feel scared? How might shifting your focus from the problem to God, through prayer, change your perspective and empower you to face these challenges and bring breakthroughs? Be like the early church—change your view. Look up, where God is ready to help you (Psalm 121:1-2).



Category: 21 Day Fast, News, Prayer, Pursue