“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” ( I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Speculations are part of life. On many occasions whenever something fatal strikes most of us will find ourselves speculating. Say, someone was involved in a fatal accident but was warned not to take that speeding taxi, most would speculate what if he had listened.
Perhaps we may also find ourselves speculating on two cases in the Bible. When the disciples started sharing the Gospel of Christ, Herod “had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also” ( Acts 12:2-3). While the Bible does not mention the church gathering to pray for James, it’s clear in the case of Peter. “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him” ( vv 5).
And that was the turning key. “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” ( vv 7). What seems clear is the earnest prayers of the church yielded positive results leading to Peter’s release. This leaves us to speculate that what if the church had earnestly prayed for James too, maybe he would also have been released!
Or look at the case of Queen Esther. Once she heard of a plot to commit genocide on the Jews, she sent a prayer request:, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” ( Esther 4:16). End story is that after three days of intense prayers coupled with fasting, she preceded to King Xerxes who eagerly received her and heard her request. “Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” ( Esther 5:3).
Perhaps some may wonder what if Esther had not prayed and fasted for those three days and night, would the King have entertained her bold request! Well, we cannot be so sure. But then there is something we know. The prayers of the church for Peter and of Esther’s prayer warriors caused change against all odds. If you doubt the power of prayer at least this you cannot deny!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I rise to worship, thank and bring my prayer requests to you, for there is power in prayer to move mountains, and this I believe and pray in Jesus’s name!
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27/04/2024 - 28/04/2024 All day“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1).
In the wildlife, a common feature is predatory animals chasing after less ferocious ones, which on a bad day become good dinner. Through the savannah plains of Africa the antelope tends to suffer that fate. After a long chase from a mighty lion, cheetah or leopard; antelopes that survive tend to retreat to a fresh water spot. There they gladly refresh their quench with streams of water.
King David, must have been more familiar with deer, as there are more common in the Northern Hemisphere. For us in the tropics we can substitute the deer with our antelope, commonly chased by predators. After a long chase, of course all pant for pints of water.
The significance of this metaphor is that whenever we encounter any situation that puts us on a chase, where do we run to! Habakuk 3:19 says, “The Lord God give my strength. He helps me run fast like deer. He leads me safely on the mountains” (Habakuk 3:19).
Two things of note here. The Lord can make us run as fast as the fastest antelope being chased by a predator to a well of safety. And of course, as we run, we have that the well of God to end up to and refresh ourselves! This is why David wrote, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today like the antelopes of the wildlife I run to you, to that well of life, which refreshes my soul, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
