^“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”                                                       Acts 12:5-7

Peter is another believer found to be bound and determined to follow God’s teachings and spread His word even though it could be fatal. The account of Peter’s miraculous prison release in Acts is evidence of God’s awesome power to rescue us from the most restrictive confinement. 

Peter was bound and placed between two guards for the night with more at the door. None of this could stop the Angel of the Lord who appeared and escorted Peter to safety. This escape is so hard to fathom that even Peter thought it was a vision. 

Acts 12:11-12 reveals, “Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.’ When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.”

What I appreciate about Peter’s release is the reminder that we are not meant to suffer alone. Just as the fervent prayers of other believers played a critical role in Peter’s situation, our fellowship with other Christians and their intercession on our behalf is part of our story of escape too. 

We are bound, trapped, and confined by different earthly situations or circumstances, and the determination of our faith community to pray earnestly for us breaks our chains. Chains of sorrow. Chains of wrongdoing. Chains of disappointment. Chains of sickness. Chains of grief.

Through the impassioned prayers of our brothers and sisters, we feel the release from bondage followed by the grip of God much to our own surprise. Like Peter, we may think it isn’t real. There must be some other explanation.

The explanation is simple. It is the work of our Lord and Savior delivering us from what binds us. The church was earnestly praying for Peter and our church is here to earnestly pray for you. Some things never change, and the power of prayer is one of those things. It was powerful then and it is powerful now. 

Do you feel like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place? Guards on both sides and more at the door? Chains weighing you down? 

Turn to your church or your own prayer partners. 

When you are bound, others are determined to see you through. 

If you are a church member, be determined to pray for those on the prayer list. They need you. Be devoted to lifting each person up by name even if the circumstance is not known. God knows what is needed. Be the kind of prayer warrior that is found praying even after the answer has come. How magnificent to find that others are praying for you not just when they hear of the initial need but even days, weeks, and months later until the answer comes and the chains fall. 

Let’s all be bound and determined to be faithful followers supporting each other along our way. 

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a miracle for others. I want to pray for others the way in which I want them to pray for me. I appreciate the reminder that when the miracle comes, big or small, it is You escorting me safely out of my confinement. 

Amen.