Family Talk 6/3/2020
Power of Prayer
Scripture Readings:
Acts 12:3-11 ESV
3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
Additional Readings:
Jonah 2:1-10
Acts 9:36-43
Digging Questions:
- According to the passage, what had happened to Peter?
- According to the passage, who prayed on Peter’s behalf?
- According to the passage how did the church pray?
- How did God answer the prayers?
Reflection Questions:
- Imagine you are alive at this time, how might you pray on Peter’s behalf?
- What are the three broad responses God has to our prayers?
- Describe a time you were struggling, and God pulled you through, was prayer involved?
- Just because we don’t get the answer we want does it mean prayer is useless?
Challenge for the week
Practice praying for the world around you and allow God to use you to make an impact.
