Acts 12 ãLessons on Prayer. Acts 12: Prayer Acts 12:1 It was about this time that King Herod...

Acts 12Acts 12

Lessons on PrayerLessons on Prayer

Acts 12: PrayerActs 12: PrayerActs 12:1 It was about this time that Acts 12:1 It was about this time that

King Herod arrested some who King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.persecute them.

2 He had James, the brother of 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.John, put to death with the sword.

3 When he saw that this pleased the 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.Feast of Unleavened Bread.

4 After arresting him, he put him in 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after bring him out for public trial after the Passover.the Passover.

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to the church was earnestly praying to God for him.God for him.

Acts 12: PrayerActs 12: Prayer

6 The night before Herod was to bring 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.the entrance.

7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.the chains fell off Peter's wrists.


8 Then the angel said to him, “Put 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the around you and follow me,” the angel told him.angel told him.

9 Peter followed him out of the 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.seeing a vision.


10 They passed the first and second 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.suddenly the angel left him.

11 Then Peter came to himself and said, 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”the Jewish people were anticipating.”


12 When this had dawned on him, he 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.people had gathered and were praying.

13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door.answer the door.

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”door!”


15 “You’re out of your mind,” they 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”his angel.”

16 But Peter kept on knocking, and 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.him, they were astonished.


17 Peter motioned with his hand for 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the prison. “Tell James and the brothers about this,” he said, and brothers about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.then he left for another place.


Herod was going to kill the Herod was going to kill the leader of the early churchleader of the early churchvs.5 “…vs.5 “…butbut the church was the church was earnestly praying to God for earnestly praying to God for him”him”5 Lessons on prayer:5 Lessons on prayer:



King Herod King Herod arrested somearrested some who who belonged to the church, intending to belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.persecute them.

2 He had 2 He had James, the brother of James, the brother of John, put to death with the swordJohn, put to death with the sword..

3 When he saw that this pleased the 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.Feast of Unleavened Bread.




3 When he saw that this pleased the 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.Feast of Unleavened Bread.The story begins hereThe story begins here




3 When he saw that this pleased the 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter proceeded to seize Peter alsoalso. This happened during the . This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.Feast of Unleavened Bread.

1. No promise to answer 1. No promise to answer

any and all prayers! any and all prayers!







James James 1:5 But if any of you lacks 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But given to him. 6 But let him ask in let him ask in faith without any doubtingfaith without any doubting, for , for the one who doubts is like the the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that by the wind. 7 For let not that man expect that he will receive man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.all his ways.

Unanswered prayerUnanswered prayer







Unanswered prayerUnanswered prayerJames James 1:5 But if any of you lacks 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But given to him. 6 But let him ask in let him ask in faith without any doubtingfaith without any doubting, for , for the one who doubts is like the the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For by the wind. 7 For let not that let not that man expect that he will receive man expect that he will receive anything from the Lordanything from the Lord, 8 being a , 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.all his ways.







John 14:13 “And John 14:13 “And whatever you ask whatever you ask in My in My namename, that will I do, , that will I do, that the Father may be that the Father may be glorified in the Songlorified in the Son.”.”








John 14:13 “And John 14:13 “And whatever you ask whatever you ask in My in My namename, that will I do, , that will I do, that the Father may be that the Father may be glorified in the Songlorified in the Son.”.”1 John 5:14 And this is 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence which we the confidence which we have before Him, that, if have before Him, that, if we ask anything we ask anything according to His willaccording to His will, , He hears usHe hears us..







any and all prayers!d any and all prayers!d

John 14:13 “And John 14:13 “And whatever you ask whatever you ask in My in My namename, that will I do, , that will I do, that the Father may be that the Father may be glorified in the Songlorified in the Son.”.”1 John 5:14 And this is 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence which we the confidence which we have before Him, that, if have before Him, that, if we ask anything we ask anything according to His willaccording to His will, , He hears usHe hears us..

Unanswered prayerUnanswered prayerUnqualified Unqualified faith only faith only when we when we know we know we are asking are asking according to according to his willhis will







James 4:2b You James 4:2b You do not have do not have because you do because you do not ask.not ask.








James 4:2b You James 4:2b You do not have do not have because you do because you do not ask. 3 You not ask. 3 You ask and do not ask and do not receive, because receive, because you ask with you ask with wrong motives, so wrong motives, so that you may that you may spend it on your spend it on your pleasures.pleasures.








Summary:Summary:Reasons:Reasons:1. Unbelief1. Unbelief2. Not God’s will2. Not God’s will3. Failure to pray3. Failure to pray4. Wrong motives4. Wrong motives








Summary:Summary:Reasons:Reasons:1. Unbelief1. Unbelief2. Not God’s will2. Not God’s will3. Failure to pray3. Failure to pray4. Wrong motives4. Wrong motives5. Timing… 5. Timing…



King Herod arrested some who King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.persecute them.

2 He had James, the brother of 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.John, put to death with the sword.

3 When he saw that this pleased the 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during also. This happened during the the Feast of Unleavened BreadFeast of Unleavened Bread..

A seven day feastA seven day feast

4 After arresting him, he put him in 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial bring him out for public trial after after the Passoverthe Passover..

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to the church was earnestly praying to God for him.God for him.


At least several days of At least several days of imprisonmentimprisonment

6 6 The night beforeThe night before Herod was to bring Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.the entrance.

7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.the chains fell off Peter's wrists.





Why no answer during Why no answer during the previous days?the previous days?




2. Importance of2. Importance of persistence in prayer persistence in prayer Lk. 18:1 Lk. 18:1





18:1 Now He 18:1 Now He was telling was telling them a parable them a parable to show that to show that at at all times they all times they ought to pray ought to pray and not to lose and not to lose heartheart… …

Persistence in prayerPersistence in prayer





1. Different than 1. Different than “meaningless repetition” “meaningless repetition”


Matt. 6:7 “And when you Matt. 6:7 “And when you are praying, do not use are praying, do not use meaningless repetitionmeaningless repetition, as , as the Gentiles do, for they the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be suppose that they will be heard for their many heard for their many words.” words.”





1. Different than 1. Different than “meaningless repetition”“meaningless repetition”Prayer clip:Prayer clip:- Type of communication- Type of communication- Sacred objects- Sacred objects- Gestures of approach- Gestures of approach- Dissociation - Dissociation






1. Different than 1. Different than “meaningless repetition”“meaningless repetition” - Not meaningless- Not meaningless - Issue-oriented and - Issue-oriented and relational relational






1. Different than 1. Different than “meaningless repetition”“meaningless repetition” - Not meaningless- Not meaningless - Issue-oriented and - Issue-oriented and relational relational - A posture of faith- A posture of faith - Not an effort to compel - Not an effort to compel God God






1. Different than 1. Different than “meaningless repetition”“meaningless repetition” - Not meaningless- Not meaningless - Issue-oriented and - Issue-oriented and relational relational - A posture of faith- A posture of faith - Not an effort to compel - Not an effort to compel God God - Good for us and our - Good for us and our relationship with God relationship with God


12 . . .he went to the house of Mary 12 . . .he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called the mother of John, also called Mark, where Mark, where many people had many people had gathered and were prayinggathered and were praying..


3. Corporate prayer3. Corporate prayer Mt. 18:19,20Mt. 18:19,20




19 “Again I say to 19 “Again I say to you, that you, that if two of if two of you agree on earthyou agree on earth about anything that about anything that they may ask, it they may ask, it shall be done for shall be done for them by My Father them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 who is in heaven. 20 For where two or For where two or three have gathered three have gathered together in My together in My name, there I am in name, there I am in their midst.”their midst.”




19 “Again I say to 19 “Again I say to you, that you, that if two of if two of you agree on earthyou agree on earth about anything that about anything that they may ask, it they may ask, it shall be done for shall be done for them by My Father them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 who is in heaven. 20 For For where two or where two or three have gathered three have gathered together in My together in My name, there I am in name, there I am in their midsttheir midst.”.”

13 Peter knocked at the outer 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door.Rhoda came to answer the door.

14 When she recognized Peter's 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”


15 “15 “You’re out of your mindYou’re out of your mind,” they ,” they told her. When she kept insisting told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “that it was so, they said, “It must be It must be his angelhis angel.”.”

16 But Peter kept on knocking, and 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw when they opened the door and saw him, him, they were astonishedthey were astonished..





4. 4. QuantityQuantity of their of their faith= unimportant faith= unimportant Lk 17:6 Lk 17:6




4. 4. QuantityQuantity of their of their faith= unimportant faith= unimportant Lk 17:6 Lk 17:6

Not the Not the amountamount of of faith, but the faith, but the objectobject of faith! of faith!




5. How easy it is to miss 5. How easy it is to miss answers to prayer! answers to prayer!





Answered prayerAnswered prayerRecognize itRecognize it





Answered prayerAnswered prayerRecognize itRecognize itAppreciate itAppreciate it





Answered prayerAnswered prayerRecognize itRecognize itAppreciate itAppreciate itRemember itRemember it

ConclusionsConclusionsPrayer is not magicPrayer is not magicIt is calling on God to do It is calling on God to do hishis

will willIt is relating to GodIt is relating to GodFew are satisfied with their Few are satisfied with their

prayer lives prayer lives



prayer lives prayer lives (except for the Pharisee)(except for the Pharisee)



prayer lives prayer lives (except for the Pharisee)(except for the Pharisee)Don’t waste time wringing your Don’t waste time wringing your

hands-- Come to God! hands-- Come to God!

Comments?Comments?Questions?Questions?Experiences?Experiences?

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