Persevere in Prayer

Acts 12:1-5

“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.”

Herod Agrippa was popular with the Jewish people because he was a direct descendant of the Maccabean heroes, who had rebelled against and expelled the Seleucid rulers (who ruled Israel just prior to the Romans), and captured, cleansed and rededicated the temple to God.  Even though he was a Roman puppet ruler, the people respected him because he observed the law and all of the Jewish observances.

To please the people, Herod began to persecute the Christians.  James, the brother of John, was the first of the Twelve to be put to death.  Peter was arrested.

Through all of this, the church continued to pray. During those times of extreme adversity, the people called out to God.

Maybe Paul remembered these times when he wrote to the Romans, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

Good advice even today.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)