Today’s study began with Herod having killed James and the reason behind his intention to kill more in this case Peter, because “it pleased the Jews” vs 1-4; so I asked myself what is the intention behind the things I do?🤔 Vs 5 speaks about the constant prayers being offered to God on behalf of Peter and this got me thinking again, who can I be bold to say I am praying for and who is praying for me? As we go through life we need that circle that will be praying for us as the “Herod of life imprisons our Peter” and we also need to do so for others. Verses 6-11 explains the ministry of Angels, I pray for Angelic visitations throughout our lifetime in Jesus name, Amen Verse 12 has an interesting player, Mary the mother of John Mark, this was the only time her name was mentioned in scripture, a brave woman who gave her house to be used for fellowship despite the threats they faced at that time Scholars noted how big her house was, that it could contain the entire Jerusalem congregation and one other thing that stood out to me is that her maid Rhoda another important player in this chapter had faith- which also tells a lot about Mary the mother of John Mark. Imagine living in the North in Nigeria and saying come and use my house for fellowship and let’s just keep praying hmmm, she most likely will cater for their feeding and all The humbling part verse 13-16 was they were not expecting to see their miracle 🤣 I recall a clip I saw where a family prayed cover this food with the blood of Jesus and blood poured from heaven over their food and the whole house was drenched in blood 🤣. Thank God for how He chooses to answer our prayers 😂. As we pray, let us know that God can answer as He chooses to, may our faith be strengthened to receive in Jesus name, Amen Verse Verse 17 emphasizes that sometimes it’s best to hide, and not reveal yourself, if Peter had stayed or started celebrating on IG or X or TikTok that he saw an Angel and stayed in the house, the soldiers would probably get him when they went searching for him. Lord, I pray for wisdom enough to know when to hide and when to reveal, Amen Vs 20-23 Herod died because he accepted what was said, he did not say it, he probably did not think about before they said it, however, he had time to say both in his heart and openly “all glory to God” but did not say it. Lord, may we never share in your glory, Amen.

I have a big question probably hard to answer. Why does God have preference over whom to save and whom not to save. Like why did he allow james to die but saved Peter from death.

[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. The kind of security given to Peter made me think why. Just 1 man 4 squad of 4 solders each.

Verse 6 and 7 is a call for spiritual alertness. In as much as the solders were awake and still could not see what was happening is liked unto Christian who are dead in the spirit. A lot can change spiritually if we are not not alert. The church was praying enarstly for Peter. But yet when God answered the prayer they were still in doubt.

I see the reason to pray more to GOD for laborers so many will be saved! Evil will continue in this world if we are just few, Herod would have stopped if the Jews protested but because it pleased them, because some are saying no genocide, because some are saying, yes 👍 kill them, he wanted to continue and that led to Peter’s arrest. Even though the church were praying with little-no faith, they continued constantly in one accord. It’s like “GOD we don’t know how, but do it”; we can’t walk this journey alone, we need to belong to a church, have groups of friends that can intercede in one accord (thank GOD for a group like this). Another thing is we need to make supernatural our natural, Peter was not surprised, he didn’t shout because he was like, yes it’s another vision not knowing it’s reality, if an Angel appears to me and some people here, our shout will alert the soldiers but thank GOD for mercy 🤭. GOD is faithful and Just, even when they did not know it will happen, GOD made a way I pray that situation you and I don’t know what to do, regardless of whether we have faith or not, GOD will make a way! GOD will do only what GOD can do because no man can save Peter from those men.

We serve a mighty GOD! Herod was not killed because he killed James, not because he was killing the Apostles and persecuting the church, there’s grace for maybe he will change but immediately the people called him god and he pride himself to be god, an angel (I will tell you how angels don’t show mercy like GOD someday) struck him like “how dare you ?” Now imagine some things in our possession that we turn to god and worship them not giving glory to GOD ? May the Lord help us.

I like how the book of acts of apostles is speaking so much and we are learning daily. What stood out to me today is how fervent and persistent prayer was going in behind the scene of Peter, which showed why we must have covering, backends, community of people that we can trust that can pray for us even when we cannot. When Peter was imprisoned he was not praying guys, he was sleeping, he was not restless, he knows what he have, he was well rested putting confidence in God. I asked myself, why were the people even praying for Peter when they did not even believe in it. My answer to that was the power of God, when the power of God come upon you, you will not know what you are praying for, you will just pray and you will not be able to stop. God had a way of coming through for his own, other people replaced the death of Peter. Don’t try to exhalt yourself, if you don’t humble yourself willingly you will be humbled by force, even when you are not exhaling yourself but you are not rebuking those that are doing it on your behalf you will also bear the consequences just like Herod.. When you walk closely with God and do his will diligently, God will just be fighting and bringing down your enemies for you without you lifting a finger. For Peter God rose people up to pray for him and even after his release. Herod brought himself down by his own error.