“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” - James 5:16, KJV)

Sometimes we might wonder if all our prayers can deliver us, from that which is holding us back. Perhaps to get an idea how prayer works we could go back to that time when the Apostle Peter was locked up. As he was kept in prison “constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5). These prayers of the church for one of their own would break the chains locking him down.

In prison, suddenly, “behold an angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the prison and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” and his chains fell off his hands” (Acts Peter 5:7). Peter was led out passing his guards. When he got to the house of Mary he found the church had “gathered together praying” (verse 12).

The prayers of believers united had delivered Peter from chains. There are many other chains that can hold us down in our lives, but with prayer they can all e broken. “But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord brought him out of the prison” (verse 17). Prayer delivers.

Prayer for today: Lord father God of Abraham today I pray in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that you deliver me from any chains holding me down!