Meditations from Zion

Acts 12:5, 7a, 10b
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him…. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell…. When they [Peter & the angel] had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

How did the believers pray for Peter? Did they pray for his miraculous release by an angel? I don’t think so. They knew that miracles could happen, they had seen a boodle of them. But I’m guessing they prayed for some miracle at the public trial. They imagined him getting an opportunity to speak and people would be filled with the Holy Spirit etc. And how was Peter, himself, praying? Was he asking for wisdom or just courage in the face of death? Either way, the angel bit was a total surprise.

Since God doesn’t make mistakes, apparently, the best thing for Peter and the followers who were praying for him was to cut Peter loose. Peter was officially a fugitive from that point forward. And Luke does not speak of Peter again in Acts until several chapters later. Peter is no longer in public ministry. His work is behind the scenes.

Over the years, there has been a lot of teaching about prayer and how it should be as specific as possible. I’m starting to really doubt the wisdom of this type of prayer. Who am I to know what is the best solution to a difficult situation? God is so creative. If I can trust God with the resolution, chances are it will be a better end that I could ever imagine.

The angel that helped Peter only stuck around as long as angel-help was needed. The angel unshackled Peter, led him out of the prison, past several guards, though a locked gate, then out and down a street. When the angel disappeared Peter was on his own again to make the next decision. Angels do the heavy lifting.

I believe persistence in prayer may not be to call down my ideas of a solution, but to faithfully place that loved one or that difficulty in the light of God’s presence. Then, angels can come or minds can be changed or hearts can be broken…. whatever is best for that moment in time.

One of my favorite scenes in the Lion King (I know, I know, it’s a kid’s movie) is when the Mufasa and Rafiki dedicate Simba and hold him up in the air. This feeling of dedication and letting go is how I imagine prayer to be…. for my current issues, my family, my friends, and all those I have promised to pray for… may we all experience the wonder of angels as God moves our mountains.