How many soldiers does it take to guard one Christian? After Stephen’s martyrdom, the next Christian leader to die was James, the brother of John. One of the inner circle of three, James had been with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Herod killed him and when he found out the people liked it, he arrested Peter and put him under the care of sixteen soldiers. Then God’s people prayed.
How would Christians fight against a hostile government? On our knees! When we pray we should anticipate results. In a time of drought, one pastor asked his people how many of them had prayed for rain. All raised their hands. “How many of you brought umbrellas tonight?” he asked. Nobody raised their hands.
While God’s people prayed, God was already at work. He sent an angel to set Peter free, and Peter walked straight to the house where they were praying. Rhoda, a servant girl, went to the door and saw him there, but closed the door in his face, leaving him outside. She reported that he was there, but the people didn’t believe her. Finally she brought Peter inside and he told them that God had set him free.
Wayne Watson sang,
When God's people pray,
And take the pains of earth to the doors of heaven.
When God's people pray,
There is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven.
And miracles you can't explain away,
When God's people pray.
