“King Herod arrested some…He had James, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also…put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each…Peter was kept in prison, but the church WAS EARNESTLY PRAYING TO GOD FOR HIM.” (Acts 12:1-5) So AMY, did God answer their prayers? “…Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains…Suddenly an angel appeared…He struck Peter on the side and woke him up…and the chains fell off…Then the angel said “get dressed” Peter followed him…and came to the iron gate…it opened for them by itself then Peter…went to the house of Mary where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked…a servant came to answer the door…she recognized Peter’s voice, she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “PETER IS AT THE DOOR!” (Acts 12:6-14)
Herod cross-examined the guards AMY and ordered that they be executed. “Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” IMMEDIATELY, because Herod DID NOT GIVE PRAISE TO GOD, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and HE WAS EATEN BY WORMS AND DIED.” (Acts 12:21-23)
Remember this AMY, “The effective, FERVENT (a prayer that is “passionate, heartfelt and heated, persistent”) prayer of a righteous man AVAILS MUCH. (makes tremendous power available)” (James 5:16)
-Bill Stockham