Does God Answer Prayer

Happy Sunday. You likely remember King Herod from the Christmas story. He had a grandson also named Herod. He ruled Judea from the years 37 AD to 44 AD.

Let me read a bit from Acts chapter 12 about the grandson Herod. King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. Now Herod was evil.

James was the first of the disciples to be martyed. Times were tough for the early church and Herod was making it just difficult. Can you imagine how the remaining disciples must have felt? You must know that Jesus gave warning to the disciples that these days would come.

Matthew recorded this in chapter 10. Jesus said to the disciples, "I'm sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves. So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and fogg you in their synagogues, and you'll be dragged before governors and kings because of me.

Well, James was dragged before King Herod, and he was killed. The question on everybody's mind would be next, which disciple would be on the chopping block again. And we're told that in that in verse three of Acts 12 there we're told after he king Herod saw that it pleased the Jews the killing of James. He proceeded to arrest Peter also.

This was during the festival of unleavened bread. When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. Well, our questions answered. Who next?

Peter. And it seems that he would be killed soon. After all, he was a prisoner guarded by four squads of Roman soldiers. A squad consisted of four soldiers.

So 16 Roman soldiers were assigned to Peter. They'd take shifts and two would be chained to Peter, one on his left, one is on his right, while the other two would guard the cell door. This is maximum security. In verse five, we find these words.

While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently God to God for him. I love this about prayer. We can pray about anything regardless of circumstance.

Regardless of how many guards there are, despite the odds, we can pray. The doctor can give a few weeks for a person to live, and that person can pray and live. At times the kid camps out on fool's hill and the parents can pray. As a Christ follower, prayer is the greatest thing that I can do.

I hope you agree with that. Let me repeat what I said. As a Christ follower, prayer is the greatest thing that I can do. Do you agree?

Let's go back and see what happened to Peter. I pick up the story in verse six. The very night before King Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell.

He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." The chains, they fell off of his wrist. The angel said to Peter, "Fasten your belt and put on your sandals." He did so.

And then the angel said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." Peter went out and followed him. We're told that he did not realize that what was happening with the angel's help was real. He thought he was seeing a vision, maybe even having a dream.

I'll continue. After they had passed the first and second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city, and it opened for them on its own accord. And they went outside and walked along a lane when suddenly the angel left him. And then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all the Jewish people were expecting."

Peter was likely 40 24 hours from death and now he's a free man and this is miraculous. Only God can do something like this. The prayers were answered and God showed off. Let's see what Peter does after his escape.

I begin now at verse 12. As soon as he realized this that it was real, that he was free, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Roa, came to answer. On recognizing Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate.

Let me stop right there. Here a group of believers are praying for a miracle and they are told that their prayers were answered. Roa, a maid, a servant, busted into the prayer meeting and said, "Stop your praying. Your prayers are answered.

Peter is here." Let me read you their response in verse 15. Now, they've just gotten what they've prayed for. A miracle.

Peter's here. And they said to her, "You're out of your mind." It's not possible, I guess they were thinking. I'll read back.

They said to her, "You're out of your mind." But she insisted it was so. They said, "It's his angel. It can't be him."

Meanwhile, we're told Peter continued knocking. And when they opened the gate, they saw him and they were amazed. Here's the truth I want you to see today. God still answers prayer.

Don't be surprised. I got a call from a friend this week and Anita was diagnosed with cancer right before Easter. She's had four surgeries in the past few months. I along with many others have fervently prayed for her.

She called me after a PET scan. The doctor called her called her and the cancer is going away and she's on top of the world and giving credit to God. I hope that you have a he have have a healthy prayer life. If not, you better start today.

And I pray that God surprises you with what he can do. If you're not a person of prayer, you won't make a difference. I want you to make a difference. Pray with me.

God, as I pray this prayer, and I don't know who's going to watch, who's going to listen. I don't know their needs. I don't know what they're going through. I pray that you impress it upon them to pray, to pray for great things.

And Father, forgive us of our lack of faith when we are surprised. Thank you that you answer prayers sometimes despite our little faith. Help us to grow in you and grow in our prayer life. In Jesus name I pray.

Amen. God bless. Have a wonderful prayerful week.