King Herod discovered that persecuting Christians gained him favor with the Jews. He had James, John’s brother, killed and then arrested Peter as a special prize for them.
Acts 12:5
“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was praying fervently to God for him.”
That night, as Herod prepared Peter’s trial, Peter slept—bound with two chains between two soldiers, sentries guarding the door. Suddenly, an angel appeared, a light flooding the cell. The angel struck Peter, saying, “Get up quick!”—and the chains fell off. “Dress, grab your sandals, cloak, and follow me,” the angel instructed. Peter obeyed, uncertain if it was real or a vision. They passed the guards, reached the iron gate—it opened by itself. Out on the street, the angel left him.
Acts 12:11
“When Peter came to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected.’”
Peter thought he was dreaming, but God had sent an angel and delivered him. He went to the house where they were holding a prayer meeting for him. Knocking at the door, Rhoda answered, heard Peter’s voice, and was so excited she didn’t let him in but ran to tell the disciples.
Acts 12:15-16
“You’re out of your mind!” they told her. But she kept insisting it was true, and they said, “It’s his angel.” Peter, however, kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.
Amazing answer to prayer—so amazing that neither Peter nor the apostles could hardly believe it. God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask or imagine. What are we praying for and maybe not believing for? This account of Peter’s escape from prison is a great reminder for me to pray and pray believing, because God can.
