Day 4: Church and Nations

Read It: Acts 12:4-12

4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. 6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

Meditate On It:

1. Why was the Apostle Peter put in prison? What was the church doing while Peter was in prison? (vv 4-6)

2. In what way was he miraculously released and set free by the angel of the Lord? (vv 7-10)

3. What was Peter’s realization after he was rescued? How was the church involved in his predicament? (vv 11-12)

4. For further reading, read Acts 12:13-17, 24: What did Peter do next? In what way did God use his imprisonment for the furtherance of the Gospel?

Apply It:

The Apostle Peter was imprisoned by King Herod but was miraculously set free by the King of kings. While he was waiting for his deliverance, the church was interceding on his behalf. As the angel carried Peter through to freedom, he could hardly believe what was happening before his eyes. Yet, when he rejoined the other Christians, they were believing for the impossible in and through their prayer to the Lord. This story shows us that our seemingly imprisoned hopes and limited plans can become an amazing testimony and a way for the Gospel to be proclaimed.

1. What is my difficult situation right now? How can I best respond in prayer?

2. In what way can I depend on God and ask for the help and intercession of fellow believers whenever trials come? Set Simple, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, and Time-bound [SMART] commitments. For example, "I will meet with my small group regularly for accountability and prayer every week."

3. Who are the people that I know are currently experiencing trials? Mention each person by name and pray for them to overcome their present trials.

4. How can my current situation be used to share my testimony and the Gospel of Jesus to others?

Pray It:

Pray for the Church:

• Let us pray to be more like Jesus, denying ourselves and serving others sacrificially, without expecting anything in return
• Lift up your church in prayer to continue magnifying the Lord by making disciples who will make disciples of all nations
• Pray for a culture of honoring God’s Word and authorities in the Church—to submit to God above all and abide by the wisdom of our elders, pastors, and servant-leaders
• Intercede for our leaders that the Lord may indeed sustain them and grant them wisdom on how to navigate the year ahead, such that God is glorified in their lives and in our church
• For various churches, ministries, house fellowships, and discipleship groups all over the country and the world to continue serving the Lord in steadfastness and faithfulness
• Pray to be part of a small group or, if you are already in one, to start your own small group this year
• Pray for the persecuted church around the world that God will show Himself powerful to the imprisoned and tortured believers for their faith in Christ; that the Gospel may be known to the persecutors for their faithful witness in extreme suffering

Pray for the Philippines:

• Intercede for the citizens of our nation—that we may all learn to trust God wholeheartedly and live as prayerful and dutiful men and women of Christ. May every citizen turn to Christ for real salvation and transformation
• Intercede on behalf of our country—including our incumbent leaders, that we may all seek the Lord and do His will over the issues that continually encroach upon our nation
• Pray for our political, legislative, and judicial leaders to uphold biblical values and exemplify godly character, competence, justice, accountability, and family—for them to serve with integrity, wisdom, faithfulness, protection, and guidance:

Pray for major national issues:

• For proper crisis management and economic sustainability
• Graft and corruption, illegal drug trade, forced labor, human trafficking
• Ungodly values, moral decline, materialism, idolatry
• Economic hurdles, high gas prices, inflation, traffic problems, bills and laws that are against God’s Word and will
• That more people from all walks of life be saved, discipled, and for them to develop a genuine love for the Lord

Pray for the World:

• Pray for all nations and governments, that we may all depend on the Lord to carry us through the current economic challenges and for peace in the following conflict-ridden, war-torn, and economically devastated countries:
  • West Philippine Sea and nations involved
  • Israel, Gaza, Iran, and the Middle East
  • Ukraine and Russia
  • Armenia and Azerbaijan
  • Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan
  • Myanmar, the Rohingya nation
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan, Nigeria
  • Other countries facing turmoil
• Pray that every nation will come to know Christ through His people and the truth of His Word.