Sleeping Like a Baby - Pt 3

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” (Acts 12:6-11 ESV). Today we continue with our little examination of Peter’s experience with his deliverance from prison by the angel of the Lord. I find it so interesting that it was not until he is out of jail and safe that he realizes God rescued him just like the people had been praying to happen. They expected him to be rescued, but he didn’t believe it until after it was over. It is strange that we emphasize prayer so strongly and yet believe in its efficacy so weakly. Perhaps the reason for that is in the way we pray. D. L. Moody wrote: Prayer does not mean that I am to bring God down to my thoughts and my purposes, and bend his government according to my foolish, silly, and sometimes sinful notions. Prayer means that I am to be raised up into feeling, into union and design with him; that I am to enter into his counsel and carry out his purpose fully. A lot of my prayers are really about what I want God to do rather than asking Him to do what He wants through me. Sometimes I really don’t like the answers I get when I pray. Of course, there are those times when God does the spectacular and changes the course of man, miraculously exerting his will in history; however, the more typically response of God is in the subtle changes he brings in me personally. Those changes are the things that bring true peace and joy. Pray for the captives to be set free. Pray for the world to be redeemed. Pray for the dead to be raised to life and sick to be healed. AND pray for your focus to be in Him every moment of every day. You won’t go far wrong and it will be less surprising when he does the miraculous if your focus is on that simple exchange of words, from a child to their father, which is the real essence of prayer. Billy Graham said it best: Prayer is simply a two-way conversation between you and God. If you’re in prison, go ahead and take a nap. You’re in good hands. Wake up when he calls, even if he has to poke you in the side. And, always stay in touch with your heavenly father. He’s got some great words for you!