“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!
Related upcoming events
-
19/04/2024 - 20/04/2024 All day“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” ( Isaiah 43:19).
Just before fire was unleashed down on Sodom and Gommorah, Lot was told to pack up with his wife and two daughters and leave their homestead. Now, once out of danger, “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” ( Gen 19:26). Perhaps here we might pause and ask why she was bothered to look back.
Of course it could have been that old “curiosity killed a cat” mistake! Yet, it could also have been Lot’s wife was not sure where she was going and longed for her old life back. This is a common error. There was nothing stirring to look back. Just before Lot’s neighbors had attacked his house eager to rape his visitors. “They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them” ( vv 5). Was there anything worth looking back to!
The case of Lot’s wife could be anyone else’s experience. The Lord has plucked you out of some mess. You have been delivered to a new life. Yet, somehow you decide to look back, as though there was anything good and worth longing for. Sometimes it is a bitter past you have been delivered from. Other than rejoice in your new blessings you keep being drawn back!
A wise caution goes, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly” ( Proverbs 26:11). If the Lord has just led you out of a certain mess why look back like it was much better! Instead look ahead, for “he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” ( vv 17- 18).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for delivering me from the darkness of the past and I look forward to a bright new future in you, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
