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Fast + Read + Pray = The Challenge

Part Two

January 19, 2025

"And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47, NLT)

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT WHEN WE FAST + READ + PRAY?

"The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers." (Acts 9:31, NLT)

"About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church." (Acts 12:1, NLT)

"He had the apostle James (John's brother) killed with a sword." (Acts 12:2, NLT)

"When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter... Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover." (Acts 12:3–4, NLT)

1. We can expect Satan's attack.

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." (Galatians 6:9, NLT)

"But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him." (Acts 12:5, NLT)

2. We can expect God to hear us when we pray.

"Ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord." (James 1:6–7, HCSB)

"The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers... Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, 'Quick! Get up!' And the chains fell off his wrists." (Acts 12:6–7, NLT)

3. We can expect God to break chains.

"This is the kind of fasting I want... Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people." (Isaiah 58:6, NLT)

"So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn't realize it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself." (Acts 12:9–10, NLT)

4. We can expect God to open doors.

"I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me." (Revelation 3:8, NLT)

HOW DO WE RESPOND?

1. Believe

"Peter finally came to his senses. 'It's really true!' he said. 'The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!'" (v.11)

2. Tell someone!

"When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer." (v.12)

3. Keep on knocking.

"He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, 'Peter is standing at the door!'

'You're out of your mind!' they said. When she insisted, they decided, 'It must be his angel.' Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed." (Acts 12:13–16, NLT)

"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Luke 11:9–10, NLT)

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