Thoughts for Life: #1 Prayer Without Ceasing

Dr. R. A. Torrey tells us, “In the twelfth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles we have the record of a most remarkable prayer, remarkable because of what was asked for and remarkable because of the results of the asking.

There seemed to be little hope for Peter, indeed no hope at all.

He was in a secure dungeon, in an impregnable fortress, guarded by sixteen soldiers, and chained by each wrist to a soldier who slept on either side of him.

There appeared to be no hope whatever for Peter.

But the Christians in Jerusalem undertook to get Peter out of his perilous position, to completely deliver him.

How did they go about it? What did they do?

They held a prayer meeting to pray Peter out of prison.

Acts 12:5 “Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

Was anything apparently more futile and ridiculous ever undertaken by a company of fanatics?

Praying a man so securely incarcerated, and so near his execution, out of prison?

If the enemies of Peter and the Church had known of that attempt they doubt less would have been greatly amused, and laughed at the thought of these fanatical Christians praying Peter out of prison; and would doubtless have said to one another, ‘We’ll see what will become of the prayers of these foolish Christians.’

But the attempt to pray Peter out of prison was entirely successful.

Now if we can find out how these people prayed, then we shall know just how we too can pray so as to get what we ask.

In the fifth verse we are told exactly how they prayer. Let me read it to you. “Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

The whole secret of prevailing prayer, the prayer that gets what it asks, is found in four phrases in this brief description of their prayer.

The first phrase is “without ceasing.” The second, “of the church.” The third, “unto God.” The forth, “for him.”

This excerpt, Prayer Without Ceasing, is taken from What Prayer can do - The UNLIMITED POWER THROUGH UNCEASING PRAYER, by Dr. R.A. Torrey Published by REVIVAL MOVEMENT ASSOCIATION, Northern Ireland. www.revivalmovement.org

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Further excerpts of Torrey’s message from this booklet, will be presented on the following Tuesdays and Thursdays, in place of Dutch Sheet’s information. I completed Sheet's book and highly recommend your purchasing your own copy from Amazon.com.

The next posts will explore "of the church", "unto God', and "for him."

The next message of Dr. R. A. Torrey will be on 4/9, Prayer Unto God #2

Biblical Virtues to pray for your kids: #11 Faithfulness. "let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts" Prov. 3:3

Prayer: Father, may I listen to Your Spirit's leading! In Jesus' name, amen.

Our Scripture for today: Ps. 71:17, 18 "O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come."

Our thought for today: Virelle Kidder – (My notes taken at a conference):

God does not chide when I’m tired.
Our dryness creates a thirst for God.
Ask God for what He wants you to do next.
When in a dark place, listen for God’s direction, What you hear in the dark – sing out!
God will inhabit your story!
You need to share your life.
Others in their wasteland need the water you can give them.