Praying Earnestly
In Acts 12 Peter is imprisoned by Herod. The early Church had already lost James, the brother of John. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter and threw him in jail. But then we read…“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (Acts 12:5). There is not a more impossible scene in Scripture. “Peter is sleeping between two soldiers, bound in chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance” (Acts 12:6).
“Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell.”
If Peter so much as flinched, he would have awakened the soldiers. That alone should have awakened Peter and the sleeping the guards! He struck Peter on the side and woke him up! ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists” He dressed and followed the angel past the first and second guards, right out of prison.
Verse 10 records the first automatic door openers: “…The iron gate opened by itself, and they went through it.” When he was free and safe, “The angel left him…,” and Peter heads for the prayer meeting already in progress (Acts 12:7-17). Rhoda answers the door, but is so excited she forgets to open the door! Don’t miss the point: this happened because of verse 5. Miracles happen when God’s people earnestly pray!
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving…”Colossians 4:2
1. PRAY EARNESTLY.
What does it mean to pray earnestly? Earnest praying is agonizing, stretched-to-the- limit-engaging prayer! Some call it “intelligent (clear-minded) reality praying.” It helps us face life realistically, even in times of crisis and extreme need.
It is expectant, determined praying, not casual, take it or leave it praying! Praying that demonstrates that our heart cares passionately about the things that look impossible. It’s coming to God like we mean it. I can tell you this: it’s not praying our vague “bless or be with” prayers! It’s not just going through the motions or speaking mindlessly into the air. Here’s how they prayed: “We have an impossible situation on our hands! Our beloved leader is in prison. If You don’t intervene, Lord, Herod will kill him!” So they prayed earnestly and specifically for His deliverance. Earnest prayer is fervent prayer.
Crisis ramps up earnestness! When crisis comes like a bolt out of the blue… Crisis demands prayer. When people are in truly dire straits, completely helpless on their own, they pray earnestly. Isn’t it amazing how earnest we become when crisis comes! Earnest prayer is serious, intense prayer. In my new book, Dancing with the Impossible…I tell the story of the Miracle on Main Street.
It’s the kind of prayer Paul Zamor prayed when an angry mob rallied to riot on Main St. in Gros Morne, Haiti, blaming Pastor Paul for the demolition of their voodoo shrine. They encircled the parsonage with machetes, picks and torches, chanting, screaming, calling on evil spirits to destroy Pastor Zamor and his family who were huddled in prayer on their living room floor behind a closed door that didn’t lock. At any moment Paul expected the doorknob to turn and all of them to be slain.
But in calm assurance they sought the refuge and strength of a God who is always near as their only place of safety. The door never opened. Suddenly, near midnight, ghostly silence prevailed. Eyewitnesses swear that a man looking remarkably like Paul Zamor came out of the house to face the murderous throng. In coldblooded frenzy they slashed the mysterious figure with their razor sharp machetes; then poured acid over the body to assure themselves that Zamor was dead.
The voodoo priests breathlessly boasted to Paul’s colleagues, “His corpse’s in the street!” News of the predawn slaughter sent a nauseating wave of fear across the city. Meanwhile, Paul and his family, very much alive and unharmed, told his praying friends, “Go in peace. The battle is over.” One thing their anti-Christian adversaries failed to consider—miracles happen on Main Streets whenever God’s people pray earnestly.
Earnest praying is praying for an answer! The Bible calls it effectual. It is specific praying with authority and anticipation.
Main Street miracles happen whenever God’s people pray earnestly.
2. PRAY EFFECTIVELY.
Effective prayer is dependent prayer. Every single thing we bring to God in prayer is something we are saying is outside of our power — something we don’t have the resources to take care of. The more we believe the answer to our prayer rests in God alone, the more we believe that we are in need, the more powerless we will really feel ourselves to be; as a consequence the more serious and earnest our prayers will be.
Although at times situations look impossible, when the church unites in specific prayer, God does what only God can do! Earnest praying is effective praying. It is effective, useful, and productive praying for the believer and those he or she is interceding for (cf. James 5:16; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2).
“You have not because you ask not…!” James 4:2
3. PRAY EXPECTANTLY.
God is just as anxious to respond to our prayers now as He was in Bible times! The reason we’re not seeing miracles happen is because we are not asking. The only prayer that is met with “unsatisfying silence” is the prayer you fail to pray! It’s not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer!
Earnest praying is praying with shameless assertiveness
4. PRAY WITH ASSERTION.
1 John 5:14-15 tells us that if we don’t pray according to the will of God, He will not even hear us. But if we pray properly, we can pray confidently (in faith and assurance)! “Learn to ask only what is in accordance with the will of God. If what you ask is not what God wills, then bow your will to His will, and wait for that something better God has in mind.” Here’s what I believe: “God will either give us what we ask or give us what we would have asked if we knew everything He knew” (http://timothykeller.com/books/prayer). Come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in your times of need (Heb.4:16).
Pray bold assertive prayers with restful submissiveness.
The greater the need the more intense our prayers become. It’s our privilege to ask, but then we must remain restfully submissive by telling God that if He wills something different than what we are asking for or we haven’t thought of, that we really want him to do it! This is to-be-like-Jesus praying: “Thy will be done.”
Earnest praying is praying with shameless assertiveness but, at the same time, with restful submissiveness! I’m confident that God is wiser than I am and He wants what is best for us. We can trust Him—He knows best what’s best for me! Thy will be done is not an escape clause for God, just in case He doesn’t come through for us! It’s not giving God a way out! It is “the heart-at-rest prayer” (Keller)
This allowed Peter to sleep not knowing whether he’d live or die! Earnest praying is praying like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, “Even if he doesn’t…” (Daniel 3:16-18). It is praying… “God I know you’re able to save… my faith is in you alone not in what you will do for me… I entrust myself to you and refuse to bow down to any idol of my own making who always saves in the way I want.” Surviving the fire didn’t make them heroic; their faith made them heroic “even if He doesn’t!”
“Earnest praying is focused, intense, breakthrough prayer. Crisis demands it! Some act like things happen whether we pray or not! It’s just a coincidence! My cousin, staged from his mother recently just happened to reconcile with his mother after not speaking to her for 32 years! Coincidence? Hardly. I have prayed for this family for years.
Without prayer coincidences don’t happen!
I challenge you: Start keeping track of answered prayer and you’ll be amazed at how often “coincidences” happen around your prayer life! I keep a Gratitude Journal. Thanksgiving 2023, I made my 5000th entry!
“Trust in the Lord and do good! Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.” Psalm 37:3
6. PRAY TRUSTINGLY.
After You ask, what then? Psalm 37:3-5 gives us the answer: God often gives us the desires of our hearts. Ps. 84:11 assures us that He withholds no good thing from us,
In these inflationary times let me ask you: Do you trust God with your finances? I’m learning to trust God for finances. Instead of asking how much will it cost and can we afford it, ask first what does He want us to do! When He tells you, just do it!
If you don’t pray, the best you can do is the best you can do. But when we pray, the best we can do the best God can do. If you want to improve the math always bring God into the equation. He always improves the math!
My friend, David Rambarran and I wanted to travel to Paramaribo, Suriname, and then to Georgetown, Guyana to do two Leadership Conferences. Our budget was $7,500 to cover travel, hotel, food, transportation, and free books and meals to attendees. On my way to airport in Charlotte, my cell phone rang and my SIL’s mother asked when I was going my trip.
“I’m on my way to the airport now,” I replied.
“I want to help you on your trip,” she said. “Would $3,000 help?”
“Yes, of course,” I assured. I started to thank her when she interrupted,
“Does that meet the goal?”
“No,” I explained, “but it sure helps.” Then she said, “I’ll make it $5,000.”
My truck cab turned into a praise and worship center as I cruised into the airport. By the time our flight to Suriname left the next night, all $7,500 was in the bank.
When we pray earnestly, nothing is impossible! And if we trust as we wait on Him, He may even give us the desires of our hearts! Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires (37:4). We had a little time to sightsee in downtown Paramaribo before our first session began so we headed to a souvenir shop. I collect walking sticks from my mission travels. I spotted one that was really unique and beautifully carved. Price? $100 USA. I didn’t think I should pay that and there was no bartering. So, I passed it up.
We were staying free of charge at our hosts Randy and Shanda Chee-A-Tow’s Guest House. When time came to head to the church, David and I took the back seats and Shanda sat in the passenger seat. As Randy locked the doors and gates, Shanda turned toward us and handed us envelopes. We didn’t take time to open them, but I read what was printed on the outside: “Dr. David Nixon and Spouse, our dear Brother in Christ Jesus. A token of love and thanks. Philippians 1:6.
We thanked her and I tucked it in my Bible and off we went to the morning service. It wasn’t until we got back to our rooms and had a chance to nap until I remembered I hadn’t opened my envelope. Ten $100 bills.
On that closing night of our conference, we were saying our goodbye when Randy came in the back door of the long meeting room carrying something wrapped in paper. The pastor motioned for him to come to the platform and make a presentation to me. The very walking stick I had passed up. It shall forever be called my “blessing stick!”
Praise God from whom all blessings flow…!
We won’t receive unless we ask! When we align ourselves with the purpose and power of God, He moves! He alters our actions and attitudes! He empowers us to do things we could not otherwise do! Prayer is privilege we so often forfeit! Miracles happen when we earnestly pray!
