Believe in the Power of Prayer

Monday, August 31st, 2026

4:25 am

Good morning! Today I am in Acts 12:6-19. The night before Peter was supposed to go to trial, he was asleep, chained between two guards. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel woke Peter up, and told him to quickly, get up, and put his clothes and sandals on, and follow him. So Peter did, and they left the cell. But the whole time, Peter thought it was a vision, not realizing it was actually happening. They past both guard posts, and came to the city gate, and it opened by itself. They past through and started walking down the street, and the angel disappeared. Peter finally came to his senses, and said, "It's really true! The Lord has sent His angel to save me from what the leaders were going to do to me!" He went to the home of Mary the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl went to let him in, but when she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that she ran back inside to tell everyone Peter was at the door, instead of opening the door for him. The people told her that she was out of her mind, and said that she must have seen his angel. Peter continued to knock, and when they finally opened the door, they were amazed. He motioned for them to keep quiet, and told them what the Lord had done for him. He told them to let James and the other brothers know what happened, and he left and went to another place. At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search, but he couldn't be found. The he questioned the guards and sentenced them to death. After Herod left Judea and went to Caesarea for a while.

The believers prayed earnestly for Peter while he was in prison, and God answered their prayers by sending an angel to set him free. God wants us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and be watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2). Praying on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:18). Promising to answer us when we call to Him (Jeremiah 33:3).

God wants us to pray about everything, and when we do, He wants us to expect His answer. Then, for us to be alert and ready to receive His answer. We should never be surprised when He answers a prayer for us because we should trust that He will answer. All the believers and Peter were surprised when God answered their prayer, but they shouldn't have been. God wants us to be expectant and ready for when He answers, then when He does answer, praise Him, just like these people gave thanks to God. Then be obedient to what He tells you. Prayer is so powerful that even Jesus tells us that we can move mountains through just the power of our prayers and faith, when we pray in His name (Matthew 17:20). When we pray according to God's will, He hears and He answers (1 John 5:14).

No matter what you are going through, seek God and expect a response, and be ready to move when He answers. God hears you, and He will answer you. The answers to your prayers may not be what you expect or when you want it to happen, but trust and know that God hears you and He will answer. And His timing is perfect. Seek Him throughout your day, through prayer, and allow Him to help you and guide you, as well as give you peace and strength to carry on.