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Recently, I read the story of Peter in jail.

“When he had seized Peter, he put him in prison, turning him over to four squads of soldiers of four each to guard him [in rotation throughout the night], planning after the Passover to bring him out before the people [for execution]. So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent and persistent prayer for him was being made to God by the church. The very night before Herod was to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries were in front of the door guarding the prison. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared [beside him] and a light shone in the cell. The angel struck Peter’s side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off his hands. The angel said to him, “Prepare yourself and strap on your sandals [to get ready for whatever may happen].” And he did so. Then the angel told him, “Put on your robe and follow me.” And Peter went out following the angel. He did not realize that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭AMP‬‬

And that got me thinking about one of the times Paul was also in jail.

“After striking them many times [with the rods], they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely. He, having received such a [strict] command, threw them into the inner prison (dungeon) and fastened their feet in the stocks [in an agonizing position]. But about midnight when Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; suddenly there was a great earthquake, so [powerful] that the very foundations of the prison were shaken and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer, shaken out of sleep, saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, saying, “Do not hurt yourself, we are all here!” Then the jailer called for torches and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out [of the inner prison], he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?””
‭‭Acts‬ ‭16‬:‭23‬-‭30‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Lots of reading today. Stick with me. In the first few verses of both accounts, we read the lengths the people went to keep Peter and Paul in jail. Four squads of soldier (16), between two men, chained, and a dungeon with feet in stocks. This was to these lengths and more that the Romans/Jewish leaders fought to keep the Way’s message quiet. Here’s the thing that hits me, nothing can interrupt the plans of God. He uses all things in our lives. All.

The next verses for each account tell us Peter and Paul’s response to the imprisonment…

Ooo, wait. Before I go there, look at the first account.What were the people of God doing while Pater sat in jail. Fervent and persistent prayer was the response. I can say on good authority that this was a scary time for the church. The beginning of Acts 12 tells of the death of James. Did it stop the message? No, there was a Jesus given purpose and the church saw the power of prayer, collective and personal.

Peter was sleeping, chained between two men. Paul was worshipping with Silas with stocks on their feet. Hear me out. Both are faith filled responses. Both are acting in faith. The last time you were deeply grieved or worried or concerned, were you able to sleep peacefully? Maybe you are in the minority who passes out no matter the circumstances. Teach me your ways. lol

Paul was worshipping. I’ve said it before and I will say it here, everything changes when you bless His name. At midnight, pitch black in the dungeon, they (Paul and Silas) chose to praise. As I grow older, my response to trial and trauma still is sharp, but rather than running anywhere else, I run to the Lord. Many times I have started a walk with fear and looking around me to turn on the worship. My mind changes. In Paul’s case the earthquake gave him a way out. They could have run. The doors were open, chains broken.

They did not. They stayed and in doing so saved an entire household, physically and spiritually. The call on Paul and Silas was to stay. No one would blame them for running, yet they remained. This speaks volumes to me. There are things in my life that I want fixed and solved in my time, in my way. And yet, if I get my way, do I miss the greater blessing God has for me? Who’s will do I really want int my life?

Angel visitation occurred in Peter’s story, he walked Peter out of the jail. Peter’s call was to go out and preach the word for the salvation of others, this time. Here’s a couple things I keep coming back to with these stories:

1. Our God is above all of our thoughts and plans. He knows it all. If God moved one way last time, allow Him to bring the answer this time another way. Maybe
2. Our response to trials and worries matters. Our choice to sleep and to worship are both forms of trust.
3. Prisons, physical or mental, can be destroyed in the power of Jesus’ name.
4. Our prayers for self and others are truly the greatest thing we can do for one another. How often have I said, I wish there was more I could do? Yet I know the fervent prayers of the faithful are so much more powerful?

I could keep coming back and making a huge list. What would you add? Tell me in the comments!

Peace and love.