today’s word… Acts 12

before the Word, a thought…

I have a dear friend, Adam, whose father died a week past. 17 March was the year anniversary Adam, himself, almost passed at 34 years of age due to cancer. I spoke to him on the 20th of March and he said he felt ‘locked’ up…

At times I feel the same… at times I am sure others feel this virus has ‘locked’ them up; , and I am sure that you have felt this way also… in the the passage, below Peter is ‘locked’ in prison by Herod. The only way out of lock ups? Earnest prayer; not prayer, but earnest thankful and heartfelt prayer…

‘5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.’

… how did Peter get in lock up?

3’he ( Herod) proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.’

‘5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.’ What is earnest prayer?

earnest, in the Greek ‘ektenos’, meaning time ‘stretch out’; to be ‘zealous’; ‘fervent’…

This body of believers stretched themselves not just out; but without ceasing…

His way, our way, earnest, stretching prayer… as wide as arms stretch out as though on a cross,