Church – Wake UP and Pray! – Mon 16th Apr

Today’s reading Acts chapter 12:1-19

This chapter begins with a very sad story that Herod arrested some who belonged to the church intending to persecute them and he had James the brother of John put to death with the sword. Digging into Herod’s background we find that his family line was that of murderers:

1. Herod king of Judea tried to kill Jesus (Mt 2; Luke 1:5)
2. Herod Tetrarch of Galilee – son of 1. arrested and beheaded John the Baptist (Mt 14:1-14). He also tried Jesus (Lk 23:6-15)
3. And now Herod king of Judea grandson of 1. killed James and arrested Peter (Acts 12:3–19) with intention of killing him

In all these cases there is something mind boggling:

· John the Baptist whom Jesus said was the greatest of all prophets was beheaded and God allowed it
· And when John’s brother James was murdered, God once again was silent and accepted the spirit of his dear child into His arms
· Why would he allow this to happen to His people? Why would he not even comment? Think seriously about this.

In this sad story we are told that when he saw that this pleased the people, Herod proceeded to seize Peter also. BUT ……..when he touched Peter………….. it was as if he had touched the apple of God’s eye!

What was so special about Peter? Was it because Jesus had said he would be the rock upon which he was to build the church? We all know the end of Peter’s story that he was later own released from prison guarded by FOUR squads of four soldiers each.

The answer to these questions is in verse 5 which says “So Peter was kept in prison, BUT ….(caps and emphasis– mine) the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Friends and brethren, if God places something in your heart to pray about now and in the future, PLEASE PRAY. Satan has a history of killing and destroying and he is persistent. If he takes your brother do not remain silent. If your sister has no employment do not say well ….its one of those things. If you have a loved one who is sick do not say I am tired of praying for them. If you do so, he will take your Peter from the bank ALSO.

When John and James were killed, we did not hear that the church was praying for them without ceasing. But with Peter ……it was different.

Stay close to the Word and to God’s prophets and you will hear this free life-transforming gospel and you will LOVE AND THANK GOD FOR PRAYER.

If you are a new church member and you are not acquainted with prayer and if you are not yet saved i.e. you don’t know Jesus – Begin to Praise and thank God now for people who know Him and His ways and have been praying tirelessly for you (like the church praying for Peter and I don’t think he knew it!) I for one have been praying continuously for my work mates, friends, the church, family and everybody not yet saved.

As for the end of Herod – he was giving a speech and all was going on well with him and suddenly he dropped dead and the Bible says this is because he was not giving God praise! Jesus always ended most of his parables by saying let the wise pay heed to these things.