Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Power of Prayer
Today's Verse:
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: ~Acts 11:5
This morning, we are focusing on the prayer life of Peter. As I study Peter’s life, prayer was an indispensable aspect of his life and practices. Peter was greatly influenced by the praying of the Lord Jesus. Praying is what transformed Peter from being a backwards, ill-educated fisherman to becoming a powerful and influential preacher of the gospel. Much of the expansion of the church in Acts can be traced to Peter and his praying. Would you consider with me this morning the power of prayer in the life of Peter?
There is the doctrine of prayer.
In 1 Peter 1:17 Peter wrote, “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:” Here Peter advocates the performance of prayer. Praying is when we call on the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit to work on our behalf in things we cannot do. Then in 1 Peter 3:12 Peter wrote, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Here Peter advises us regarding the permission of prayer. God hears the prayer of those whose hearts are clean and in close fellowship with Him.
There is the discipline in prayer.
Peter was praying in the city of Joppa. Peter made prayer a continuous, daily, and recurring part of his life. His location did not determine if he prayed. His discipline determined that he would pray. To be successful in prayer requires the habit of praying often. He practiced praying without ceasing. Even though he was miles away from the seashores of Galilee and the city of Jerusalem, Peter stuck fastidiously to praying. Disciplined praying always leads to consistent answers in prayer.
There is the discernment in prayer.
Peter received a vision of a vessel from Heaven. Through this vision, Peter was called of God to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. Through this vision, God overcame personal resistance in Peter’s heart to show him His will. Peter testified to his peers at Jerusalem how the Lord showed him he was to take the gospel to the Gentiles. He cited that he was praying when this vision came. This vision was not some wild fire idea that Peter concocted. It was a vision that came from an intense and intimate time of prayer with the Lord. God uses prayer to make His Word understandable to us. God uses prayer to show us the next big thing we are commissioned to do for Him.
There is the dynamic in prayer.
Prayer opened the door to the Gentiles. In Acts 10, Cornelius and his household all get saved. Peter had liberty in giving the gospel to these Gentiles, and as a result, scores of Gentiles received the Lord. We owe a debt of gratitude to Peter for being disciplined in his praying. His obedience led to the gospel being given to all of us. We also see where prayer preceded every big thing that Peter had a part in: the gospel being preached on the Day of Pentecost; the salvation of a lame man and 5,000 others; his release from prison; the gospel spreading to outlying areas such as Antioch.
There are unlimited possibilities through prayer! It could be the next big thing that God wants to do in your life is something that will be preceded by a time of great praying. Determine today to make prayer the priority of your life, and watch as God unfolds possibilities.
Have a prayer-enriched God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Chronicles 32-34
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