{"id":2097,"date":"2025-08-19T18:24:26","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T18:24:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=2097"},"modified":"2025-08-19T18:24:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T18:24:28","slug":"pray-like-it-matters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/pray-like-it-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"PRAY LIKE IT MATTERS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PRAY LIKE IT MATTERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acts 12:5\u201319 (NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good morning, everyone. <\/strong>It\u2019s so good to be back with you today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acts 12<\/strong> is a powerful chapter. It\u2019s filled with several important subjects that we could talk about \u2014 including: God\u2019s sovereignty, the providential nature of life, the reality of miracles, the the glory of God, and more. But there\u2019s one truth we can\u2019t overlook \u2014 and it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer isn\u2019t optional\u2014it\u2019s really essential!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we will see in a moment, there is a spiritual battle taking place in the world for the hearts and lives of men and women. And we face a real enemy. His plan is to bring fear into our lives, and to cause disruption and destruction everywhere he can. When he comes against us (as God\u2019s people), he tries to chain our hands, and locks the doors around us, he surrounds you with threats, and often whispers, \u201cWe\u2019re done. And, there\u2019s no way out.\u201d<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0But that\u2019s not the end of the story, because we serve a mighty God who has not abandoned us. And, when believers pray, things happen \u2014 as God responds!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We caught a glimpse of that not long ago. In early 2023, at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, a simple chapel service turned into days of nonstop prayer and worship, and supernatural experiences. Get this, there were no special lights, or smoke and flashy media tools \u2014 no big names, or special speakers and emotional hype\u2014it was just students hungry for God\u2019s presence. And as they prayed, God worked among them. As the days turned to weeks, the crowds grew to thousands. People came from all over the world, to experience the passion and presence of God among these students\u2026and similar revival moments began to breakout across the nation in a variety of universities and colleges.\u00a0 Why? Because when people pray like it matters, God moves in our lives and our circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, that\u2019s exactly what we see in Acts 12.\u00a0Luke<\/strong> (the writer of Acts<\/strong>), tells us that things were getting tough for the early church.\u00a0From a human perspective, things were looking hopeless. People of power began persecuting the church with greater intensity. Threats were made to their lives. Believers were arrested, and the enemy was active.\u00a0But when God\u2019s people pray and He shows up!<\/strong> And that\u2019s the story told in Acts chapter 12.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, we get too far along, let me give you a little more context.\u00a0As the chapter opens, Luke tells us, James<\/strong>\u2014the brother of John<\/strong>\u2014one of the original disciples was arrested and killed\u2026executed by sword, likely beheaded. His death was significant\u2014it marked the first apostle to be martyred. Soon after, King<\/strong> Herod Agrippa<\/strong>, the grandson of the Herod the Great<\/strong> (who tried to kill Jesus as a baby), and the nephew of the Herod Antipas<\/strong> (who executed John the Baptist), had Peter arrested too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wanted to execute him the way he had James<\/strong>, but because it was Passover<\/strong>, he was delayed. So, instead\u2026Peter<\/strong> was thrown into prison and placed<\/strong> under maximum security.<\/strong> Luke<\/strong> tells us Herod assigned four squads of four soldiers<\/strong>\u2014sixteen guards<\/strong> in all, to watch him. Two were chained to Peter<\/strong>, and two stood watch at the door, and they rotate in shifts, every 3 hours throughout the night. And it your wondering why so many guards, I think it was because Herod was concerned that Peter might escape<\/strong> (it wouldn\u2019t be his first time). In Acts 5 <\/strong>were told that he and John<\/strong> had been imprisoned, but were miraculously delivered by an angel of God. And so, Herod<\/strong> didn\u2019t want that happening again.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Point<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I tell you the backstory to show you that from a human perspective, things looked really bad, even hopeless! But from God\u2019s perspective, the story was just beginning. And here\u2019s the key thought I want to drive home today:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When God\u2019s people pray, God shows up<\/em><\/strong> (revealing His power and presence in our lives).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He often does so in unexpected ways.\u00a0Understand, prayer doesn\u2019t dictate God\u2019s actions<\/em>, but it does invite His presence into our circumstances.<\/em> So, while He may not always answer in the way we expect \u2014 He is faithful to work all things for together for our good and His glory (Romans 8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, that leads us to the first point of this passage. Which is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. KEEP PRAYING UNTIL GOD MOVES!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We need to understand something right away: <\/em>A life of faith doesn\u2019t mean a life free from hardship. Scripture makes that clear\u2014trials, heartaches, and opposition are part of the journey. In Acts 12, we see this firsthand! But here\u2019s the truth we can\u2019t miss\u2014even in the middle of severe trials, God is fully aware and fully present with His people. So, what do we do when trouble comes? How do we respond when life feels like it\u2019s closing in? We respond like the early church\u2014with faith and with prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke<\/strong> tells us in verse 5<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo Peter was kept in prison, <\/em>but<\/em><\/strong> the church was earnestly praying to God for him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That small word \u201c<\/em>but<\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/em> is the hinge of the story. On one side: prison walls, iron chains, armed guards, and political pressure. On the other side: a praying church, faith, and a total reliance on God.\u00a0And that\u2019s the pivot point where impossibility meets faith.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer is not an option for you and me. We must pray. It\u2019s our lifeline. It reveals our faith and trust in God. It keeps us aligned with His will and in touch with His Spirit. So we must pray\u2026and we must do so unto God moves. Until He reveals Himself and changes our circumstances or changes us! Notice how<\/strong> the church in Acts 12 prayed. Luke<\/strong> says they prayed \u201cearnestly.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the original language, this word paints a picture of something being stretched to its absolute limit, like a rubber band stretching as far as it can. (Pull hands apart\u2026they prayed\u2026and prayed\u2026.and prayed).<\/em> The point is that their prayer was intense and continuous. It wasn\u2019t some passing, casual, or routine prayer. It was focused\u2026consistent and intentional. It was that kind of prayer that refused to quit until God responded. Luke used the same word when he described Jesus\u2019 prayer in Gethsemane<\/strong>\u2014the night before he would be arrested and crucified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I read that, I have to stop and ask myself: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does my prayer life look like that? Am I praying with that kind of urgency and persistence? And if not, why not?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus<\/strong> told us in Matthew 7:7<\/strong> to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAsk, and keep on asking; seek, and keep on seeking; knock, and keep on knocking.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s ongoing, continual prayer. Don\u2019t stop until God answers\u2014until He either changes the situation or changes us in the middle of it. This is why the main point here is simple\u2014we too must pray until God responds<\/strong>. Persistent prayer isn\u2019t about wearing God down\u2014it\u2019s about holding on until His will is done. That\u2019s what the early church did, and it\u2019s what we\u2019re called to do. Prayers demonstrates our dependence upon Him. So pray, and don\u2019t give up.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I\u2019d add, when you pray \u2014 refuse to pray it safe! Pray big, bold prayers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once, when the late missionary, Hudson Taylor<\/strong> faced an impossible situation during his time in China<\/strong>, he wrote, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is not the difficulty that matters most,\u00a0but where it drives me\u2014to my knees.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, How Do We Pray Like That?<\/strong>I\u2019d suggest a few ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Pray specifically.<\/strong> Name the situation, the need, or the person that has you concerned. Earnest prayer isn\u2019t vague, it\u2019s laser-focused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Pray with others.<\/strong> Bring someone along the journey with you. Share your need, and commit to praying together. In this story, the early church had gathered together to pray for Peter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Pray until.<\/strong> Pray, and pray, and pray again. Pray until God moves (either in your situation, or in you)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, the second lesson we learn from this story about prayer, is this: We must\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. KEEP TRUSTING THAT GOD IS WORKING!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God was working even when the church couldn\u2019t see it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You know, sometimes the hardest part of praying is the unknown<\/strong>\u2026waiting on God to respond. This is especially true when we pray about things over time\u2026 and we don\u2019t see any obvious results from our prayers. It may lead us to wonder\u2014if God is even aware of our needs. But Acts 12 reminds us that God is working even when we cannot see Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look with me at verses 6\u201311. Luke <\/strong>writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 <\/em><\/strong>The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. <\/em>7 <\/em><\/strong>Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. \u201cQuick, get up!\u201d he said, and the chains fell off Peter\u2019s wrists.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 <\/em><\/strong>Then the angel said to him, \u201cPut on your clothes and sandals.\u201d And Peter did so. \u201cWrap your cloak around you and follow me,\u201d the angel told him. <\/em>9 <\/em><\/strong>Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. <\/em>10 <\/em><\/strong>They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. <\/em>It opened for them by itself,<\/em> and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 <\/em><\/strong>Then Peter came to himself and said, \u201cNow I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod\u2019s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice the timing\u2014the night before<\/em> his trial. Most likely the night before his execution. And Peter is\u2026 sleeping. Not pacing. Not worrying. Not calling for his lawyer. Sleeping. That\u2019s not normal\u2014that\u2019s supernatural peace. That\u2019s the kind of peace that Paul<\/strong> describes in Philippians 4:7 when he writes about, <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cthe peace of God, which transcends all understanding.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s what Peter<\/strong> was experiencing here. But\u2026While he was sleeping, God was working! And, while he was sleeping, and the church was praying, \u2014 again, God was working! I think this is where things are the hardest, it\u2019s when our faith is the most difficult, because it\u2019s hard to trust when God seems silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s silence does not equate to God\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even during the stillness and silence of this this story \u2014 God was working! That\u2019s just how it is with God. He\u2019s often the most active in places we can\u2019t see\u2014in the spirit realm, in the hearts of people, in difficult circumstances \u2014 but God is always working! Think about when a seed is planted in the ground\u2026before anything is ever seen, things are happening deep down in the dark. Invisible to the human eye, change is happening and roots are growing. It won\u2019t be seen until later, but the growth process begins long before the first green leaf breaks through the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, when we pray\u2014God is working. The Psalmist says of God, in Psalm 121:4,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means while you sleep, God stays awake.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you rest, or even wrestle\u2014God is awake. He\u2019s aware. He\u2019s active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may not see it, you may not feel it, but He\u2019s always working behind the scenes on your behalf.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Application:<\/strong> Maybe right now you are in the midst of a difficult circumstance,stance. And maybe you\u2019ve taken your concern to God, but it feels like nothing is changing. You\u2019ve been praying, but the doors still remain shut. I challenge you to stand in faith – and trust in God\u2019s timing. Just trust Him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Charles Haddon Spurgeon <\/strong>once said of God, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we cannot <\/strong>trace<\/strong> His hand, we must <\/strong>trust<\/strong> His heart.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So trust Him. And when that answer does come\u2014be ready to believe and<\/strong> receive<\/strong> His good work. Which leads us to the third call within this passage\u2026and it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. KEEP BELIEVING FOR GREATER THINGS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you pray \u2014 and as you await God to act, I challenge you to believe for greater things. <\/strong>Expect God to come through. Thats faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look again at verses 12\u201317. <\/strong>Here we read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12 <\/em><\/strong>When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. <\/em>13 <\/em><\/strong>Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. <\/em>14 <\/em><\/strong>When she recognized Peter\u2019s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, \u201cPeter is at the door!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

15 <\/em><\/strong>\u201cYou\u2019re out of your mind,\u201d they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, \u201cIt must be his angel.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

16 <\/em><\/strong>But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. <\/em>17 <\/em><\/strong>Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. \u201cTell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,\u201d he said, and then he left for another place.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, God works and sends his angel to deliver Peter. And in a moment\u2026Peter<\/strong> is free\u2014his chains gone, guards are behind him, and the gates wide open before him. It was miraculous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So where does he go? He goes straight to the place where the believers are praying.\u00a0 Verse 12<\/strong> tells us it\u2019s the home of Mary<\/strong>, the mother of John Mark<\/strong>\u2014a place well-known as a gathering spot for the early church, a hub of prayer, ministry, and safety. Many scholars even believe this to be where Jesus and the disciples met for the last supper, and where the believers were praying on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2\u2026when they were filled with the HS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is significant, because in his time of need, Peter<\/strong> returned to a place where he had seen God move before. And we should do the same\u2014revisit the places and moments where God has proved Himself faithful, because His past faithfulness fuels our present hope. When Peter knocks, a servant named Rhoda recognizes his voice, but in her excitement, forgets to open the door! She rushes back shouting, \u201cPeter is at the door!\u201d<\/em> Yet those praying for his release don\u2019t believe her. They dismiss it, even suggesting it must be his angel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the lesson: <\/strong>sometimes we pray without truly expecting God to answer. We go through the motions, but doubt lingers. And when God DOES<\/strong> move, we\u2019re often caught off guard.\u00a0James 1:6 <\/strong>warns not to pray like that, not to pray with divided hearts, but instead to believe. He says, we must \u201cbelieve and not doubt,\u201d<\/em> because prayer without expectation is like planting seeds in the ground \u2014 and then, never bothering to watch for a harvest. It just doesn\u2019t make sense. Conversely \u2014 the prayer of faith is powerful and effective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like the way Corrie Ten Boom <\/strong>once put it. She said:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFaith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the kind of faith we\u2019re called to live\u2014not just talking about God\u2019s power, but actively watching for it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Peter<\/strong> finally enters the house \u2014 verse 17<\/strong> says he explained how, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…the Lord had brought him out of prison.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He tells the story and leaves no doubt in their minds. It wasn\u2019t that the guards were weak or he was just lucky. He declares that it was the miraculous work of God.\u00a0And then Peter<\/strong> says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTell James and the other brothers and sisters about this.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then, the astonishing thing is, he left! He takes off. Luke<\/strong> says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cthen he left for another place.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this really caught my attention this week \u2014 because, the miracle didn\u2019t cause him to stop and erect a statue or build a museum to God\u2019s work in that moment. To the contrary \u2014 it motivated him to CARRY ON! Because the mission of God and the ministry of His people had to continue!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the point: <\/strong>God didn\u2019t free Peter so he could simply enjoy a night at home. He freed him so the Gospel could advance!<\/strong> Answered prayers and divine deliverance is never just about our comfort\u2014it\u2019s always about His Kingdom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke<\/strong> confirms this in verse 24, <\/strong>when he writes:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe word of God continued to spread and flourish.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You see, Peter\u2019s release wasn\u2019t the end of the story\u2014it was just the spark that fueled even greater Gospel impact. His problems and pain became a platform of God\u2019s power. That\u2019s why this matters: when God answers, don\u2019t just be relieved\u2014be expectant.\u00a0<\/strong>Celebrate answered prayers \u2014 but keep believing for greater things!\u00a0When God answers your prayers\u2014don\u2019t just stand there in shock. Believe it. Receive it. And give Him the glory.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell someone what He\u2019s done. <\/strong>And let your deliverance become a testimony that points others to Him. Every answered prayer is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the goodness and power of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, Acts 12<\/strong> isn\u2019t just an inspiring story\u2014it\u2019s a pattern of life <\/strong>for you and me. While we will still face opposition and impossible situations in our lives, we can be certain that we serve a God who hears our prayers,<\/strong> is able to breaks the enemy\u2019s chains, and opens doors before us. So be encouraged. And pray like it matters, because it does! Prayer moves heaven\u2014and heaven moves earth. So:<\/p>\n\n\n\n