Escape: Acts 5

"But during the night an angel of the Lord opened
the doors of the jail and brought them out."
Acts 5:19

I am praying through the 28 chapters of the Book of Acts, one chapter per day, for my New Testament church. I post these prayer points on my blog as a resource for those who desire to not just read about the power and growth of the Church, but want to see it manifested today in their own New Testament church. Dare we believe it?

CHAPTER 5

FATHER, according to Your Word and the principles of Acts 5...

 * May the sober example of Ananias and Sapphira remind us that if we deceive our church leaders and the Body, we are not lying to human beings, but to God. May those who withhold their giving from God or conspire against the church and its leaders know their actions are an affront to God and will be costly to themselves. Give leadership boldness to expediently warn and disciple offenders in a spirit of love, but without compromise. (v. 1-11)

* Let signs and wonders come in such a magnitude as in the Early Church that people will come from towns around our city to witness the reports they have heard, and bring their sick and their tormented with them! As we have been commissioned by Jesus to go out and heal and deliver in His Name, may God's Spirit empower us in such a way our mere shadows falling on the afflicted would result in healing and deliverance. Do this God, so that it will be known, it is the power of Your Spirit that works miracles, signs and wonders through mere man. (v. 12-16)

* If an angel of the Lord released the apostles who were unjustly imprisoned in the middle of the night, surely in this day in age, You will deliver those who boldy proclaim Christ from every bond and unjust judgment! Deliver, Lord, every missionary we send who faces prison and persecution! Deliver them supernaturally as you did for the apostles, so they can return to preaching and teaching in the Name of Jesus. (v. 17-25)

* May each of us always obey God rather than human beings! Let us not allow ourselves to be dictated to by our government and this culture. Rather, let us proceed by the leading of God's Spirit to discern when and where we will freely proclaim the gospel, for we take our orders from God and not man. (v. 27-29)

*  Let the fruit of the ministry of this pastor and this church speak for itself: if the purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, those outside of or even within the church who are party to opposition will not be able to stop it! For they will only find themselves fighting against God. (v. 38-39)

* When rejection, accusation and opposition comes in different forms, may our pastors, leaders and missionaries, who fulfill an irrevocable calling, rejoice that they are counted worthy of suffering rejection and disgrace for the Name. (v. 41)

* In this House, in the local church, and out into the community, let nothing hinder or stop the proclamation of the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah! May it be ongoing and unrelenting. (v. 42) 

We agree,

in the Name of Jesus

and according to Your Word.