Constant in Prayer
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 12:5
Have you ever been involved in an all-night prayer meeting? How about one that went on for days? I can honestly say I have not, though we do have twenty-one days of prayer twice a year, as well as weekly opportunities to gather for prayer at church. But I’ve never participated in something where we come together in constant prayer for a specific situation, staying with it until the breakthrough comes, no matter how long it takes.
The truth is prayer is how we open the door for God to intervene in our circumstances. I would go as far as to say that many of us haven’t experienced that kind of extended prayer simply because we’ve never had a loved one scheduled to be executed the next day. A life-or-death situation changes everything. It shifts our urgency, our attention, and our faith.
I’m so thankful that I’ve never been in a situation that extreme. I know I would pray, but I can’t say how long I could stay in that place. In today’s reading, the Apostle James had already been publicly executed, and now Peter had been arrested and was scheduled to die the next day. The situation seemed hopeless. He was heavily guarded, and escape was impossible by human means. But the people of God gathered and prayed constantly and fervently and God did what only He could do. Peter was miraculously delivered. Prayer made the impossible possible.
I’ve seen the power of prayer many times in my life. Ideally, we’re living in such a close relationship with the Lord that we walk each day in constant communion with Him, seeking His guidance and wisdom in every decision. That kind of daily conversation keeps us on the path of His provision and protection. It helps us recognize divine opportunities, say the right words, and make a difference in someone else’s life.
This is the calling on us as believers. We help open the door between heaven and earth by lifting our world to Him. When we pray, we invite God’s will into impossible places. Others experience the goodness of God when we lead them to that place of prayer and invite Him into their circumstances.
Here are some ways you can begin opening the doors in your circumstances so heaven can reach through and make the impossible possible:
- Set aside time daily to be alone with God. Not out of duty, but out of desire to know Him and hear His voice.
- Bring specific issues before Him both personal and for others. Write them down. Keep track of what you’re asking God for.
- Pray with others. Find a group of believers or even one friend and start praying regularly for your church, your city, and the world.
- Pray spontaneously. When someone shares a need with you, don’t say “I’ll pray for you.” Do it right then and there.
- Stay in a continual conversation with God throughout the day. Talk to Him about everything. Ask for wisdom, strength, and direction in the moment.
Today, I want to encourage you to pray without ceasing. Don’t wait for a crisis to stir up passion in your prayers. Press in now, while the path is clear and your heart is soft. There is power in your prayer, and there is a breakthrough on the other side of your persistence. You carry the ability to help bring heaven to earth. Don’t give up. Stay in the conversation. The same God who freed Peter in Acts 12 is the same God who hears you today.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 12:1-5
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. 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.
Journal:
- What situation in your life or in someone else’s life needs “constant prayer” right now?
- How can you set time aside this week to pray intentionally and invite others to join you?
The Daily Dose 