"The Praying Church" goes through the story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison, as found in Acts 12:1-17. This is the 8th message from our series, "The Acts of the Apostles: vol. 2."

In Acts 12, tragedy affects the church again as James, a disciple, apostle, and an important leader is killed. As persecution increases against the church - this time led by the political powers of Herod Agrippa - we see Peter arrested and on the verge of execution.

What can the church do? The people pray! The church prays earnestly together, and God responds to that prayer in miraculous ways.

This passage shows us that:
-the early church relied on the power of prayer
-prayers can be answered
-not all prayers are answered how we would like

Why pray?

Because our God hears our prayers, and our God answers prayers. But not always right away, and not always in the way that we want.

But as we spend time in prayer, we create the time and space for God to do something in our hearts. Our desires, wants, and dreams start to become less focussed on ourselves and our immediate needs, and instead become refocussed on what God is doing in our lives and all around us.

Through prayer, God gives us a heart after his own heart.

God calls us to follow the example of the church in Acts. God calls us to be a praying church. Prayer is to be the starting point for us as a church and as individuals.

God uses our prayers to change the world and to change us.

Recorded at Beatrice Mennonite Church on July 29th, 2018.