Not Dismay But To Pray

 

So Peter was kept in prison,

but earnest prayer for him

was made to God

            by the church.

           Acts 12. 5

Peter was put in prison,

   facing horrific conditions,

   a confinement without 

                 an expiration date,

   and probable death.

But he was not alone.

  He was surrounded by the prayers

             of the church.

The turning point in Peter's sentence

        was earnest prayer.

What does it take for us to realize

   the life-changing significance

                   of praying?

The church's first response was

     not dismay but to pray.

Prayer did not just change

    the circumstances 

        but their own hearts.

What is God forming in us

           when we pray?

Not sore knees

      but strengthened hearts

on so many levels,

not just in incremental degrees.

O LORD,

We come to You in prayer,

not just for our immediate needs,

       sorrows and pain.

But for You.

You don't just bring solutions

      or send in the cavalry,

but way deeper:

  You respond and redeem.

And draw us to You.

You know we don't need answers.

        We need You.