Is It A Cliche?

Acts 12:5
⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

When we say, "I'll pray for you" do we mean it or has it become a cliche? For Peter, the results of being prayed for came in the form of release from prison by an angel of the Lord. Peter was originally put in prison by Herod during persecutions. Herod arrested Peter because it seemed to please the Jews and he wanted to win their favor. But God! God worked on Peter's behalf because the church prayed for his release. What does this tell us? First of all, if we say we are going to pray for someone, do it because going to God on a person's behalf can have an impact. Secondly, we ought to pray for everyone anyway for it may seem like the least we can do but actually it's the best thing we can do for someone. What if you were the only one praying for that person? What if the person doesn't know God or the people they know don't know God? God may be using you to pray for their exposure to him in the way that they will receive him. Ignoring the opportunity to pray for someone can mean the difference between results and the lack there of. Words such as I will pray for you actually mean a lot to anyone who is going through a rough time. Or we don't always have to say it, just do it. But let's make good on it. For Peter it made the difference. It can make a difference in every life.

P.S. If you live in Prince George's County, MD and would like to obtain a copy of Get Your JOY In The Morning from the shelf, please call John 3:16 Christian Bookstore to see if any copies are left at 301.459.5999.