DCLM Sincere Milk 23 December 2023 — The Praying Church
DCLM Sincere Milk 23 December 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Praying Church
Topic: The Praying Church
Text: Acts 12:1-11
1Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
6And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
7And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
9And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
10When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Key Verse: “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Acts 12:5
Message
The early church was going through great persecution. James the brother of John had been killed with the sword. King Herod also took Peter and kept him in prison awaiting the time to kill him also, but the church prayed. Satan does not want the word of God to spread to people in order to be liberated from their sins. He raises up people to stand against the church, but friends of Jesus must continue to pray. The church gathered for a vigil of prayer in the house of John Mark’s mother. A little girl named Rhoda joined the adults. You must not be left out of prayer meetings.
While the church was still praying, God heard their cry, sent an angel to deliver Peter from prison. It was a miraculous deliverance that surprised even Peter. God can do all things, only if we pray and believe. The church still needs to pray today even more than it did during the time of the Apostles. There is still strong persecution of the church. The enemy is not resting, because he knows that the time of Christ’s coming is at hand. He is trying all he can to stop the spread of the gospel. We must all rise up as the body of Christ and pray. A praying church is a powerful church. As we pray, God will answer, fight for us and give us the victory.
Further Reading: Luke 18:1
Prayer for today: God, help me to give myself to prayer.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
