Contemplative Bible Reading

Acts 12:1-5 (New International Version 2011)

¹ It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. ² He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. ³ When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

King Herod makes a move on the young church. Herod is a Jew, but he is more of a popularity-seeking politician than anything else. Herod has James killed, most likely cutting off his head with a sword. Herod “got a bump in the polls” from this. Peter is next. The only thing that gives Peter a few days of life in prison is that the Festival of Unleavened Bread or the Passover is in progress. Peter’s execution will have to wait. Herod takes no chances as he sets an around-the-clock personal guard on Peter in prison.

The church prayed for Peter. What did they pray?

• Herod would change his mind about Peter
• Peter would break out of jail
• Peter would be comfortable during his last hours of life in jail
• Peter’s execution would be quick and painless
• The church would find a way to exist without Peter

Given my experience with people (like me), my guess is the church prayed more for items on the bottom of the list instead of those at the top of the list. I mean, Herod wasn’t going to change his mind. He was headed down a political path and there was no turning back. And escape, are you kidding? Well, at least God would provide Peter with some comfort in prison and maybe a physical numbness at his death.

In researching these verses and talking to people about them, I have heard one theme many times when we as Christians pray for someone who is in a terminal condition. We pray for healing (or jail break in Peter’s case), until a point comes when healing is impossible. Then we pray for comfort for the dying and the family.

We see the impossible and we stop praying for God to make it possible.

We have to remember – God is in the impossible business.

• Cancer
• Hostage situation
• Alcoholism
• Cheating on a spouse
• Beating a spouse and children
• Dependency
• Just plain being a mean, hateful, selfish person

All seemingly impossible situations that are possible with God.

What happened to Peter? God sent an angel into the prison. The angel woke Peter and walked him out of the prison. Peter then went to a home where Christians were praying. The Christians didn’t believe it was really Peter because for Peter to be alive and out of prison was, well, you know…