When You Need To Move A MountainSample

Prayer as Our Secret Weapon

Prayer is our secret weapon because we have a God who hears our prayers. As Zechariah 4:6 explains: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Through prayer, we call on Jesus for help, and with His authority and power, we can push back the darkness. We can even pray for things we don’t have the personal power to deliver. This is because we are not praying in our own name or in our own power. We are praying in the name, blood, and power of Jesus, our risen Savior just as Christ’s followers did in Acts 12.

King Herod’s popularity grew among the Jews when he executed James the brother of John. He decided Peter was next, so Herod had him thrown in jail, and would carry out Peter’s execution after the Passover. Herod insured that Peter couldn’t escape by binding him in chains and posting extra guards.

But all that was before the secret weapon of prayer was applied to the situation by a band of Christians who’d gathered at the house of Mary, John Mark’s mother. There they prayed earnestly for the release of Peter.

Back in the dark jail, a glowing angel nudged Peter awake: “Hurry! Get up!” Peter thought he might be dreaming, but he stood to his feet, and as he did, his chains fell off. The angel told him, “Put your shoes on.” As soon as Peter slid his sandals onto his feet, the angel said, “Follow me!” Peter did as commanded and followed the angel out of the prison. Suddenly, the angel disappeared and Peter was alone, standing in the street. 

Running to the house where his friends were praying, he interrupted their prayers with a knock on the door. A servant girl answered and was so surprised to hear Peter, she ran to the others without opening the door. Peter kept knocking. Then a sobering thought hit the group. Peter must have been executed, and his ghost or perhaps his angel was now knocking at the door. Finally, they cracked open the door to see Peter’s smiling face. They couldn’t believe it. God had answered their prayers. I can relate to this band of prayer warriors. Can you? Never underestimate the power of your prayers to access the power of God who hears us when we pray.

Believe God is able. Pray this prayer:  Lord, I thank you that you hear and answer me.  Open my eyes to see your answers so that my faith may increase.