FAITH CAPSULE: Serving God continually and offering prayer constantly to God is a way of deliverance.

Acts 12:1-25

Serving God continually and offering prayer constantly to God is a way of deliverance from untimely or sudden death. Daniel 6:4-5 recorded concerning Daniel, “So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.  Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Eventually, plot against Daniel placed him in the den of lions. Daniel spent night in the den of hungry lions with no appetite for Daniel as meat. The King that signed the plot of the wicked ones against Daniel was not in agreement with the plot against Daniel. King was first at the entrance of the den of lions to check Daniel when he stated, “And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20) King recognized that serving God continually is an assured way against sudden death and untimely death.
Anyone that is lacking in prayer is exposing self to becoming a victim in the hand of his/her enemy.
King Herod was an ally of the Jews who were persecuting the early church. They were also enemies of the gospel, and did not have respect for the lives of the Apostles. It is written, “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.  So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.” (Acts 12:1-4) It pleased the Jews that James was killed by the sword. That same hand that went against James went after Peter with the same agenda. The word points out Peter’s deliverance stating, “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” (Acts 12:5) The enemy wanted to rejoice over Peter. Thank God for Peter that prayer warrior stood in the gap for Peter. Just as the enemies were pleased about James’ death, they also wanted to be pleased about Peter’s death. Persecuting the believers of Jesus was pleasing to the Jews; constant praying for deliverance was the prevailing avenue for displeasing the enemy. Get out of unhealthy gossip and get yourself into a prayer group.
Daniel served God continually and constant prayer on behalf of Peter delivered Peter from sudden death.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to be seeking Him diligently.