The Church and Intercessory Prayer

“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:5)

Being a Christian is no guarantee that we will have no problems. In fact, being a Christian sometimes invites trouble. James the brother of John had been killed by order of Herod the king. When Herod saw that the killing of this follower of Jesus pleased the Jews, he proceeded to put Peter in prison intending to kill him later.

Peter was in prison but the church was praying for him. The church today would make a difference if we prayed more and played less.

As we look at this passage of scripture there are seven facts about intercessory prayer.

1. They prayed unceasingly.
2. They prayed specifically.
3. They involved the entire church.
4. They directed their prayer to God.
5. They prayed unselfishly for others.
6. They failed to pray in faith but God answered. Verses 13-17 tell us of their lack of faith.
7. Their intercessory prayer created a stir. (verse 18)

 God doesn’t always open the prison doors. We must pray and leave the results up to Him, as Jesus prayed in the Garden, “…not my will but thine be done.”