Thursday October 19, 2023

Today is Thursday, October 19 and we are studying what the Bible says about help.

As a new day dawns, I seek the presence of the God who loves me. I quiet my mind, slow my breathing and center my soul on the Lord – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, lead and guide me on this day’s journey. Take my hand and show me the way to go, speak your truth into the ears of my soul, and shine your light on the good path. Watch over all my comings and goings. Amen.

I hope in the promises of God and praise him with the ancient words of Psalm 16.

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:1-2

Pause and Pray

The book of Acts records how the Gospel spread and the early church grew in the days after Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension. King Herod Agrippa began a violent persecution of the fledgling church’s leaders. Stephen was martyred, the Apostle James was executed by sword and Peter was arrested and thrown in prison. Herod planned to hold Peter until after the Passover, when he would likely be killed as well. Peter is bound securely by Roman soldiers and seems to be beyond help and without hope. Faithful believers gathered to pray for him.

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Acts 12:5-8

The entire account of Peter’s imprisonment has a dreamlike quality to it. It is a miraculous escape. The chains fall off of his wrists. Alongside the angel he walks past four guards and exits the prison unimpeded. What can I learn from Peter’s release that will inform my understanding of the things that bind me? Some are chained by negative feelings – anger, jealousy, hate, worry, grief or fear. Others are bound by addictions to substances – food, alcohol, gambling or drugs. Some are trapped in unhealthy behaviors. Others reside in prisons of anxiety or depression, loneliness or disease, shame or regret. Families can become bound in cycles of unforgiveness, poverty, abuse or violence. Jesus Christ came to set us free from the things that bind us and prevent us from living life fully.

Ask: Am I able to name my prison and what it is that binds me? What are my chains and the sentries preventing my exit?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, watch over my comings and goings. You want me to live a life that is full of love, joy and peace set free from the traps of the enemy. Reveal everything that binds me and prevents me from living life to the fullest. Remind me who came to proclaim release to the captives and who has the power to set me free. I turn to you for help in every place of imprisonment. I read the words from Acts again and listen for the message you have for me.

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Acts 12:5-8

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

The power of God is greater than all the powers of this world. God is greater than the powers that bind and imprison me. The power of prayer is the strongest weapon of the believer. During Peter’s captivity, the church prayed fervently for him. The Greek word (ektenos) means an earnest, intense and faithful prayer that expects God to take action. I can utilize the power God has given me by praying for myself, my loved ones and others who are caught up in the chains of the enemy and the world.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit. Come, in grace and power and break every chain that binds your beloved children. Shine your light in the darkness of my jail cell. Awaken me to action. May the fetters fall from my wrists. Open wide the prison doors of my heart and set me free to follow you into the life you have for me. Amen.

The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. Psalm 18:4-6a

I leave this time of prayer confident in a God who hears my cries for help. I go to bring hope and help others.

Amen