No Small Stir

November 19, 2008

By Zelma Argue

Peter was in prison. The Church was fully aware of Herod’s intentions to kill him, “but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5). All night long they prayed at Jerusalem — with unusual urgency, unusual intensity, unusual fervency — indeed, with desperation. And, as is so often true after this kind of intercession, the result was spectacular. The angel of the Lord loosed Peter’s chains and led him to freedom.

“Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the solders, what was become of Peter” (Acts 12:18). Herod had planned to execute Peter that day, but “he sought for him, and found him not” (v. 19).

How did it happen? Why had the light shined into the prison? What brought the angel of the Lord from heaven to smite off Peter’s chains and bid him “follow me”? How were they able to pass through the first and second wards unnoticed, and when they reached the iron gate that led to the city, why did it open to them of its own accord?

Back of this great deliverance was extraordinary prayer. Many were gathered together praying in a home well-known for prayer. Mighty, believing, fervent prayer continued far into the night until the astonishing answer came. Apostolic prayer brought an apostolic answer.

As we retrace the same pattern of prayer — praying in unity, praying in fervency, praying even in desperation — heaven will respond with such amazing answers that once again the records will attest to similar results, no small stir. Earth-shaking events are caused by heaven-moving prayers.

— Adapted from “No Small Stir,” originally published in the January 4, 1959, Pentecostal Evangel.