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Prayer by Righteous People Gets Things Done

Herod Agrippa I, king over Judea, Samaria, Galilee, and territories east of the Jordan River, beheaded the apostle James and arrested Peter. He plans on executing Peter, as well, to reinforce the support of the Sanhedrin for his rule. But it is the weeklong Feast of Unleavened Bread, the time when the Jews celebrate their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. For whatever reason, Agrippa will wait until the holidays are over. 

Although Peter has been arrested by the Sanhedrin twice, this is his first recorded altercation with the Romans. In fact, until this point, the Romans seemed to have ignored the church, thinking it was just another Jewish sect and posed no political threat to order. Between eight and fourteen years prior, the Roman governor Pilate crucified their leader, Jesus—not because He threatened any disruption to Rome’s rule, but because the Sanhedrin threatened unrest if Pilate let Jesus live. 

Pilate was indifferent to the wishes of the Jews so long as they didn’t interfere with the performance of his job. Agrippa, however, is more invested in the people he rules and their religion. He kept Caligula from installing a statue of himself in the temple and read to the people from the Mosaic law. He plans on killing Peter not to ensure rest but to build goodwill. 

But the church is praying. God promises to hear, with a mind, to act on the prayers of righteous people. Around this time, James, Jesus’ half-brother, wrote, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Peter will later affirm the sentiment. Peter will be rescued unscathed. That doesn’t mean God grants all the requests of His followers, and crucifixion is still in Peter’s future. But, like the night of the storm, Jesus still has plans for Peter on earth.

This is a story about the power of earnest and fervent prayer by righteous everyday people.  Bibleref.com

December 30, 2024 Posted by | Culture, Hope, Life | , | Leave a comment