We will focus on the following verses 5 through 12.
8 And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
10 When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.” Acts 12:5-12.
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We commend Cornelius for praying “continually” just two chapters earlier in Acts 10:2, and rightly so. Here, we notice that the church was praying “fervently” for Peter.
Fervent prayer is pouring out your soul to the Lord. It is total humility and honesty. It is passionate. It engages all of one’s emotions. It is a total focus on the subject matter of prayer. It is a recognition that one’s only hope is the Lord. It is a prayer of faith knowing that God will work out this matter for our good.
There are times in our lives when such fervent prayer is appropriate. It was appropriate for the church in today’s Scripture considering the arrest of Peter and the concern that Herod might kill Peter like he did James. This morning, I am on my knees, praying fervently for one of my children.
We also remember Jesus’ fervent prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
“And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.” Luke 22:41-44.
We also remember Hezekiah’s fervent prayer for delivery from Sennacherib, king of Assyria.
“Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. “Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. “Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. “Now, O LORD our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.” 2 Kings 19:15-19.
Fervent prayer is also appropriate in times of our lives. We pray fervently for our children. We pray fervently for forgiveness. We pray fervently for deliverance. We all know too well the emergencies that arise in our lives calling for such fervent prayer.
“1 Hear my cry, O God;
Give heed to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a refuge for me,
A tower of strength against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.” Psalm 61:1-4.
What was the result of the fervent prayer of the church for deliverance of Peter? In the immediately following verse, we read: “And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.” Acts 12:7.
What is the result of the fervent prayer in our lives? Let us each consider and record such results. In “Gold Mining” (a tag at the top of my Reformed Doctrine blog – Click here: Gold Mining « Reformed Doctrine Blog ), I wrote briefly a few times about God’s delivery of me from financial troubles. Such practice praises God. Such practice builds my faith when I face future troubles, and I can read and remember what God has done for me.
That is not only our fervent prayer. It is our fervent confidence, because we have Jesus Christ as our High Priest, our Lord, and our Savior.
“14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 