Pray to Avert Catastrophes

We pray to avert catastrophes for us, our family, for others and for our country. A wonderful illustration of praying to avert a catastrophe can be found in Acts 12:4-10 (1984 NIV) where we read in verse 5 that Peter was put in prison, but the people of God were earnestly praying to God for him. Whenever we are faced with a serious situation, we can learn from this verse how we are to pray – constantly and earnestly. In verse 4 it says "...he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each" (1984 NIV). And in verse 6 it says: ".... Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance." Now that is called an impossible situation! Have you ever found yourself in an impossible situation? Sixteen soldiers assigned to guard you—in prison—bound with two chains; in between two more soldiers. What are you or someone you know, experiencing right now that resembles this? Debt? Family problems? Marriage problems? Relationship problems? Work problems? Addictions? What seemingly hopeless and insurmountable circumstance are you facing? In verse 7a it says: “Suddenly and angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell." What happened? The prayers by intercession of the saints released an angel into an impossible situation. In verse 7b it says "...and the chains fell off Peter's wrists", again, what happened, what changed? The prayers of the people released an angel into an outrageous and unimaginable condition and broke the chains off Peter. The hindrances, the bondages, the things that were holding him down, were broken off and he was set free. We read in verse 9 that "Peter followed him out of prison...” and in verse 10, "They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron-gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it." Not only did the angel break the chains and set Peter free, the angel did not leave him there. He pointed to the way out; he led him up out of the darkened bondage into the light of freedom. He opened a door, a way, and led him by the hand to freedom. This is how Jesus wants us to believe when we pray – that our prayers release angels of the Lord into unbelievable situations, breaking the chains, the bondages, that hold people down, setting them free. And then leading them by the hand on a specific pathway out of the darkness of the bondage they are in, up and out into the light of freedom. Oh, may our prayers never be the same. Thank you, Lord, for your wonderful, inspiring, and hopeful Word, to encourage us, teach us, and illustrate to us real life lessons for us to emulate. Thank you for teaching us that regardless of what we, or others, are going through, there is hope – it can be averted. May we truly grasp the power and responsibility You have provided in this example of praying saints interceding for Peter, even if outwardly, it appeared absurd and undoable. May we understand that You will never leave us, that nothing is too difficult for You, and You have provided us with angels to assist us and lead us into the light with a safe, inconceivable and remarkable outcome.