Praying for the Impossible

by Brent Goodge

As the days of Passover went by, the church members came together for a round-the-clock prayer service. These Christians were no strangers to suffering and persecution. Many had been imprisoned or seen their family members killed because they refused to deny the Name of Jesus. But this was different.

James, who had been among the first disciples called by Jesus; James, who had been one of only three to witness the glory of the Transfiguration and the agony of Gethsemane; James, who had rashly assured Jesus that he too could drink whatever cup of suffering was coming Jesus’ way…had just been killed by King Herod. Many Christians had already given their lives for the cause of Christ, but the leadership of the church had previously been spared.

Now, Peter was in prison awaiting execution. Chains hanging from each extremity, multiple iron doors separating him from freedom, and sixteen Roman soldiers guarding him on pain of their own deaths if he escaped prevented any hope of human rescue. The heartless King Herod, bereft of the character of Heaven, gave no hope of clemency. Unless God stopped the evil work, the human instruments Christ has chosen to lead His church would all soon be dead. Tirelessly, the church prayed.

The night before Peter’s execution finally arrived. In answer to the prayers of His people, Christ sent an angel to the lonely prison cell. Peter’s chains fell off. Unhindered by locks and soldiers, the angel led Peter through the prison gates to freedom and then disappeared. Peter gathered himself and went to the house where the believers were praying. Knocking on the door and trying to keep his voice low enough not to waken the neighbors, Peter requested entrance.

Rhoda’s heart leaped for joy when she heard Peter’s voice, and she went to tell the praying church that God 46 // January 2023

had answered their prayers. But nobody believed her. They basically told her it was impossible for Peter to be released and would she please be quiet and reverent so they could resume asking God to do what they were insisting that God could not have done. Finally, they agreed to go check and see who was still knocking at the door.

How often do we plead with God to free those we know and love, not from earthly chains, but from bondage to sin? For most of us, the answer is likely “not nearly enough.”

But when we do pray those prayers, we need to believe God can and will work miracles in the lives of those we pray for. It is so easy to pray for our friends and family day after day and year after year while honestly expecting no real change. When God, in His perfect timing, works the miracle of deliverance in their lives, may we be sure we do not leave them outside knocking while we try to move to a quieter area to keep praying for God to do something He has already done.

About The Author Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County. He doesn’t understand how prayer works, but he trusts the God who gave us the gift of prayer. Brent is praying that this message was a blessing.

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