We can see God’s hand behind the history of man. In theology, we call it the providence of God. Providence means that God has not abandoned the world that he created, but rather works within that creation to manage all things according to the “immutable counsel of His own will” (Westminster Confession of Faith, V, i). However, God’s will may be very different from our will. Why would God let James die but rescue Peter? Only God knows the answer. But if we can trust His goodness, we rest in God no matter what the outcome is.
Act 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
I hope our church CCCW is a church of prayer. When we pray together, something happens. After coming to CCCW for 6 months, I enjoy more and more the opportunity that we can pray together on Wednesday night.
Mike
At the beginning of the chapter Herod was the king, and 4 squads of four soldiers kept Peter in prison (Acts 12:1-5). At the end of the chapter, the soldiers were executed (Acts 12:19), Herod was struck death by an angel (Acts 12:23) while Peter was set free and most importantly the gospel continued to spread (Acts 12:24). What makes the change? Mike has already pointed it out-prayer (Acts 12:5). The result of prayer is so marvelous that no one believer, not even Peter himself (Acts 12:8-9) or the ones who prayed for him (Acts 12:15). Peter did not know what to do when the chains fell off. The angel needed to tell him to put on his clothes and sandals. But he must be just stand there and not moving. Therefore, the angel has to tell him to wrap his cloak (an action of preparing to walk). The way God answers our prayer surpassing our understandings. Are you ready to pray? Or more specifically, pray for our missionary?
Audrey
Act 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
I hope our church CCCW is a church of prayer. When we pray together, something happens. After coming to CCCW for 6 months, I enjoy more and more the opportunity that we can pray together on Wednesday night.
Mike
At the beginning of the chapter Herod was the king, and 4 squads of four soldiers kept Peter in prison (Acts 12:1-5). At the end of the chapter, the soldiers were executed (Acts 12:19), Herod was struck death by an angel (Acts 12:23) while Peter was set free and most importantly the gospel continued to spread (Acts 12:24). What makes the change? Mike has already pointed it out-prayer (Acts 12:5). The result of prayer is so marvelous that no one believer, not even Peter himself (Acts 12:8-9) or the ones who prayed for him (Acts 12:15). Peter did not know what to do when the chains fell off. The angel needed to tell him to put on his clothes and sandals. But he must be just stand there and not moving. Therefore, the angel has to tell him to wrap his cloak (an action of preparing to walk). The way God answers our prayer surpassing our understandings. Are you ready to pray? Or more specifically, pray for our missionary?
Audrey
Comments