Luke the physician wrote how, “Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people”, and in chapter twelve and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” where we read:
Peter therefore was kept in prison:
but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
The verse begins, “Peter therefore was kept in prison:” Luke began with the words, “Peter therefore” which means “Peter, whose name means a little rock or stone and was one of Jesus' disciples, then, wherefore, consequently and on this account” “was kept in prison” or “was guarded in the place where captives are watched”. Luke wrote because “Herod” captured “Peter”, he was held, watched over and confined in the place where captives were kept.
The verse continues, “but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Luke added the words, “but prayer was made without ceasing” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover orations, supplications and worship to God was performed and produced without stopping, assiduously, intently and earnestly” “of the church” or “by the assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting” “unto God for him” which means “toward the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit on Peter's behalf”. Luke shared how the believers in Jesus who were part of the “church” did not stop interceding in “prayer” on “Peter's” behalf.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” was “kept in prison”, and the “church” of believers in Jesus responded by “praying” to God. We shall see the results of their prayers in our next few verses, but for now let us realize God is listening to the prayers of His people who have His purposes in mind. God loves people, and even through they face difficult circumstances like “Peter”, His people can “pray”. God desires to have a personal relationship with everyone, and when they yield themselves to His Son Jesus, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Then, regardless of what they encounter, they may “pray” and intercede on behalf of themselves and others, and God will hear their prayers and answer them according to His divine will.
Next time Luke shares how, “Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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