Freedom From Prison

N.T.#854 "Freedom From Prison"

August 14, 2026

Acts 12-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Do you feel like you are in a prison-financial, marital, family, job keeping you there? Peter must have felt hopeless, but his situation had hope., So does your, dear friend.

We left Peter in prison, chained, and between two soldiers. The church was praying for Peter, without ceasing. A guard was on the outside, also. He was waiting for trial and execution, but it was Easter, so he was waiting. Peter was definitely securely bound in prison. No escaping for him. He was doomed. 

Except, someone comes to visit Peter-an angel of the Lord (Jesus probably) showed up. /He woke up Peter, caused his chains to fall off, and told him to get dress. (verse 7)Peter followed the angel out of the prison, passed by the guards and got to the street. Peter assumed he was seeing a vision. (verse 9) Then he realized he wasn't dreaming-he was free. (verse 10)  

What a divine rescue mission!

Have you ever been rescued by the Lord? 

After surgery, years ago, I stopped breathing because of too much morphine. My lips were turning blue, my husband tells everyone. He yelled for help, a nurse yelled for help, and my family doctor and surgeon came to my rescue. Thank God my family doctor was there close by and knew what to give me. It wasn't my time to go home. Neither was it Peter's time to die.

LET IT GROW 

Peter went to the home of John Mark's mother where believers gathered to pray for him. Peter knocked at the door of the gate, (courtyard) a servant Rhoda answered. She was so overjoyed to see Peter that she left him out in the cold and ran back inside to tell everyone he was there. She forgot to let Peter in. (verse 14)

Notice the church's response:

• They had been praying for Peter, but when God miraculously answered, they couldn't believe it.
• They told Rhoda she was out of her mind-no way Peter could be standing outside.
• Peter kept knocking.
• When they opened the door, the prayer warriors were astonished. 
• Peter had come to share what had happened to him with James and the brethren, disciples.

God answers our prayers, sometimes immediately and sometimes later. Sometimes it is a no and sometimes it is a yes. 

Peter left and went to Caesarea. (verse 19) 

LET IT GO

Only Jesus paid the price for me.

Only His love could set me free.

Nobody else could open prison doors-just Jesus and nothing more.

Please set us free from our prisons, Lord Jesus.