THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PRAYER

7/5/2025

"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him" (Acts 12:5 KJV). 

One reason many of God’s people have not awakened to the spirit of prayer — especially the prayer of intercession — is the notion that intercessory prayer is meant only for a select few, those who have perhaps been called into some “special” prayer ministry. But if I may ask: What is a prayer ministry?

According to the Bible, the ministry of prayer is the ministry of the Spirit in the heart of every believer. Meaning, every Christian has been called into the ministry of prayer. You and I have been called by God into this ministry. I am not talking about the "bless me, bless me" kind of prayer, which, by the way, is an offense to God because it is rooted in selfishness and unbelief. God is not going to bless you more than He already has. In Ephesians 1:3, the Bible declares that God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

We must realize that when it comes to prayer, the emphasis should be on others and not on ourselves. Instead of asking Him to bless you, you should thank Him that you are already living a blessed, victorious, prosperous, and triumphant life. Praise God!

In Acts 12:1-2, the Scriptures tell us, "...about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.”

Let me remind you, this James was not an ordinary disciple. He was an apostle and was very close to Jesus. This James was present with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and was with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. When you read the Gospels, you often find “Peter, James, and John” singled out — James was part of that intimate circle. Yet, James was arrested and the church did nothing. Perhaps they thought that since he was such an instrument in God's hand, nothing would happen to him.

So what did God do? Nothing! Are you surprised? You may ask, "But I thought he was close to Jesus?" You are right! However, that does not override spiritual laws. Heaven only responds to prayer — not to wishful thinking.

The tragedy in this was that it took the death of James to awaken the church to her ministry of prayer. My prayer for you today is that this will not be your story, in Jesus’ name. Do not allow Satan to strike first before you wake up to your ministry of intercession. Jesus said, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation"(Matthew 26:41).

Somehow, we have it backward — just like the early church did with James and Peter. For the most part, the only time many believers pray is when they have already fallen into trouble or temptation.

In Acts 12:3-4, the Bible says, "...when Herod saw that the death of James pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also… intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.”

Thank God the church finally woke up and began to intercede for Peter. The Bible says, "but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." The Amplified translation puts it this way: "but fervent prayer for him was persistently made to God by the church (assembly)" (Acts 12:5).

As they prayed, an angel was dispatched, and Peter was delivered from the jaws of death. It is time to wake up and embrace your ministry of prayer. The church cannot afford to live with this wishing and hoping mentality and still expect to move in supernatural signs and wonders.

Let God use you to deliver others from the jaws of failure, hell, sickness, affliction, death, poverty, hopelessness, depression, and confusion through the ministry of prayer — and cause His glory to rest upon them.

Remember: Failure to intercede means that Heaven has no legal authority to act on your behalf.

God bless you!

Faith-Filled Confession

Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus, I give You praise for the inspiration and grace to consistently walk in the path of righteousness, victory, success, peace, unstoppable increase, favor, prosperity, and health. I declare that the Word of God has dominion over me today. I cannot but speak the Word, do the Word, and be the Word today. No matter what comes my way today, I’ll still be shouting, Victory! Victory! Victory! Glory to God! Amen!

Prayer Point

“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

1. Thank God for those in authority, declaring that they are positioned for the benefit of the church. Every law and policy made will favor the free spread of the Gospel in our land. We will never be disadvantaged.

2. Declare that no influence or pressure from wicked and unreasonable men will sway our leaders from the path of truth, in the name of our Lord Jesus.

   
   

“Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.” (Isaiah 32:1)

3. Pray that our leaders are bold to say "No" to evil counsel and pressure from non-state actors urging them to compromise human rights and jeopardize the future of their nation.

4. Declare that they yield their hearts to the guidance of God’s Spirit, to speak up for the truth, and boldly reject and expose the machinations of evil and the counsel of darkness.

5. Declare that the light of the glorious Gospel shines brighter and brighter and prevails in the nations