November 03

The Power of Prevailing Prayer


All the time Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse the church prayed for him most strenuously.

Acts 12:5 (The Message)


Consider the great lesson God taught His church in Jerusalem. It wasn't until disaster knocked on their door (Herod had murdered James and imprisoned Peter), that the early believers got extra serious about prayer. And so, they prayed fervently and God answered miraculously ... just as He promised (see Jeremiah 33:3).

These men and women prayed up a storm, and yet, isn’t it amazing how difficult it was for them to believe their prayers had been answered? One of the lessons I take from this story about Peter’s miraculous rescue from prison is the simple power of prevailing prayer—if only we’ll pray! So why wait for disaster to strike to start praying? Why not enjoy answered prayer now?

I don’t know about you, but I want to see God’s hand move; I want God’s miracle too. All we need remember is ... it happens through prayer!


Father, open my heart to prayer. Help me to find prayer partners, to pray wisely and to see Your will be done. Amen.