Acts 12

1. The background to the story (v. 1-5)

Acts 12:1-5

About that time King Herod violently attacked some who belonged to the church, 2 and he executed James, John’s brother, with the sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After the arrest, he put him in prison and assigned four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was praying fervently to God for him.

2. What prayer is NOT:

A)

B)

C)

3. This faulty way of thinking about prayer creates dangers:

- we think the quality or sincerity of our prayers will convince God to act

- we bargain with God

- we make demands of God

- we make prayer only about asking God for things

- “name it and claim it” theology

- “manifesting” what we want

Acts 12:12-17

12 As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many had assembled and were praying. 13 He knocked at the door of the outer gate, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer. 14 She recognized Peter’s voice, and because of her joy, she did not open the gate but ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the outer gate. 15 “You’re out of your mind!” they told her. But she kept insisting that it was true, and they said, “It’s his angel.” 16 Peter, however, kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 Motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Tell these things to James and the brothers,” he said, and he left and went to another place.

4. What prayer really is:

A)

B)

C)

5. The right way to think of prayer

- Prayer is joining God in his work

- Prayer is a reflection of our spiritual life

- Prayer reminds us who is in charge