Pray without ceasing. I Thess. 5:17

The door locked behind me as I left the six by eight dilapidated cell. I was free to leave the jail at the end of my visit but my new friends were left behind. But for the grace of God, I would be bound by Satan’s trap and locked up by the keys of the prison doors.

     One particular friend, Brenda, wasn’t the type to cause trouble; nonetheless she had fallen into the trap of the enemy. I sat down by Brenda and acknowledged that she seemed an unlikely inmate and this sparked a lifelong relationship. She was soon released; I occasionally visited her home and prayed with her.  I wanted to see her saved and I also knew her conversion would be a witness to many, so I continued to pray.

     The next time I saw Brenda in jail we were in a larger facility and her stay lasted an entire year. As I taught each week, as well as others, Brenda soaked in the word of God. Upon her release she was unable to dismiss the voice of the Holy Spirit drawing her to Jesus. 

     I received a phone call one day from Brenda. She was ready attend church so I picked her up regularly. God continued to love her and draw her to himself as she heard the preached word from the pulpit. One Sunday morning, when I least expected it, Brenda asked me to go to the altar with her. She surrendered that morning, and God saved her by His marvelous grace! I am overwhelmed and eternally grateful as I watch God’s power and peace rest upon Brenda. She is a new creature in Christ because God reached down to her in that jail cell with His illuminating light and later released her from death. Brenda is now a witness to many and one of my dearest friends. The key of prayer is more effective than a key of iron! 

     Herod the king, who proved unfriendly to the disciples, had stretched out his hand to vex the church. He killed James with the sword which pleased the Jews, so he proceeded to take Peter and put him in prison. His plan was to bring him before the people after Easter. I assume Herod hoped to kill Peter too. 

      But prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for Peter. The night before Herod was to bring Peter before the people, he lay bound with chains and asleep between two soldiers. The keepers were also before the door of the prison. Peter was trapped and the situation looked bleak. But we cannot discount the fact that continual prayers had been made to God, by the church, for Peter. 

      An angel with illuminating light of the Lord came upon Peter, smote him on his side, and raised him up, saying “Arise up quickly.” The chains fell from Peter’s hands; he put on his sandals and his garment as instructed by the angel who said, “Follow me.” Peter went out past two wards, and through an iron gate that opened of it’s own accord. As Peter passed through the street the angel left him. He had been delivered from the hand of the enemy without a key of iron but by the key of prayer.   

       As Peter came to himself, he was certain his experience had been real and not a vision. He had been divinely delivered from the hand of Herod and the Jews! It took the praying church some time to accept that Peter truly had been delivered from the binding stocks of prison. Peter had to keep knocking and telling his praying friends that he truly was free! 

     Like Peter, Brenda is free from Satan’s trap and continues to tell others. Some situations look bleak as we see others bound by chains and surrounded by Satan’s servants who work to keep them trapped. Never stop praying. Prayer is the key that brings God’ power to set people free. 

WORDS OF TRUTH

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Eph. 6:18