This week we conclude our series on persecution by looking at what can we do for the persecuted church around the world. Today we are going to look at what the church was doing while Peter was in prison. King Herod had Peter put into prison and was going to execute him just has he had done to James. Notice in verse 5, “Constant prayer was offered to God by the church.” Maybe as you have been confronted with persecution this week your asking, “What can I do for people in China, or some other country?” That’s a great question. Simple answer is pray. The Bible is clear that there is power in prayer. To often I think we look at prayer as the last resort. It really should be our first response. The church prayed for Peter and as we will look at later things happened. Sometimes its weird for me to think that prayer would really do anything. I mean God could do it on His own without us praying. But never forget God gives to us certain responsibilities and for some reason God wants us to pray and request of Him to act. Would God have acted if no one prayed? I don’t know, sure its possible. The Bible says “you receive not, because you ask not, ask the Lord of the Harvest and He will give generously to you.” I am convinced that pray needs to be a regular part of my daily time with God. Today as you think about this stop and take time to pray for persecuted Christians all around the world. Pray for a good friend of mine. Troy is a missionary to people groups who have never heard the gospel. He has encountered head hunters and cannibals as you shares the good news of Christ with them. Pray for his safety. Pray that God would speak through him into the hearts of these undetached people groups.
Father today may you make prayer more of a priority in my life. Help me to not look at it as a last resort, but rather my first response.
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