Acts 12:1-5  About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. (NLT)

The minute Peter came through the door, Cornelius was up on his feet greeting him—and then down on his face worshiping him! (The Message)

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Sometimes God says Yes to our prayers so spectacularly that we have a hard time believing the speed and specificity of his answers. This happened to Peter and the early believers when it seemed that Peter was next on the chopping block. (See verses 1-3.)

God’s answer was so dramatic that Peter thought it was a vision until he found himself outside in the middle of the night after having been chained with two chains and surrounded by a guard on either side as bunkmates. Two other guards stood at the prison gate. (See verse 4.)

God’s answer was so dramatic that Rhoda (verse 13) ran to tell everyone the good news without opening the gate for Peter. The gates of the prison and the city swung open easily all by themselves, but Rhoda left Peter standing outside the gate in the street and vulnerable to re-arrest. 

God’s answer was so dramatic that those gathered for prayer at Mary’s house (John Mark’s mom) didn’t believe it was really Old St. Pete. 

God’s answer was so dramatic that “Herod Agrippa interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death,” (verse 19). Then he skipped town and headed for Caesarea. If he thought he was out of God’s reach there, he soon found out otherwise (verse 23). 

God’s answer was so dramatic that “the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers,” (verse 24).

Who and what are you praying for currently? 

Do you pray with great expectation?

Would the answer to your biggest prayer require a dramatic answer like Peter’s deliverance? 

A friend from years ago said he would engage in no small ministry. He only wanted to get involved in big things for God. I’m guessing he might well say that he prays no small prayers, that he only prays for those things requiring God-sized intervention. 

Listen to the news today. Observe what is going on in the world around you at home, at work, and in your community. What of those things requires God-sized prayers and God-sized answers? 

Let us pray.

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I will pray for God-sized issues and God-sized answers.

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Our Father, teach us to pray for matters bigger than our breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Teach us to pray with more focus than “Now I lay me down to sleep.” Teach me to pray in a manner that demonstrates deep trust and full alignment with your plans and purposes. Give us holy boldness on behalf of those who need what only you can do. Amen.