Prayer is Your Key to Freedom

God can do anything, especially when His people pray. Just ask Peter. Prayer is the reason God sent an angel to break Peter out of prison the night before execution. It was the foundation for this miracle. But it wasn’t Peter’s prayer—it was his church’s prayers. 

We Need Others to Pray for Us

Then [King Herod Agrippa] imprisoned [Peter], placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. 
Acts 12:4-5

King Herod persecuted the early Church Christians—he murdered and threw them in jail. The day before Peter was bound and thrown in prison, James was killed. Peter was supposed to be put to death the very next day.

That night, God sent an angel to break Peter free from prison. At first, he thought it was a dream, but after realizing he was actually free, he went to a house where many were gathered in prayer—for him! 

Keep Knocking

He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, "Peter is standing at the door!" "You’re out of your mind!" they said. When she insisted, they decided, "It must be his angel." Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. 
Acts 12:13-16

You need to keep knocking. Maybe something’s been locked, someone hasn’t responded the way you thought, or God hasn’t moved the way you want. You just need to keep knocking!

Prayer Comes Before Freedom

Before Peter could ever get up, get dressed, and get out of prison, before the angel of the Lord went into the prison to wake Peter up, before freedom could be found, the church was found praying! For freedom to happen, prayer had to happen. 

Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 
Acts 12:5

Prayer is foundational for your freedom—it’s the start of everything God wants to do in your life. Without prayer, you’ll never get free. That communion and that connection brings freedom into your life. Prayer unlocks any prison door and breaks any prison chains holding you back. 

The power is in the prayer. The prayer came first—not a book study. Not Tuesday night Bible study. 

So this week, challenge yourself to 

1. Ask others to pray for you. 
2. Keep knocking for God to answer your prayers.