In Chapter 6 (“The Prayer of Intervention”) of Moving Mountains, John Eldredge references Acts 12- James Killed and Peter Imprisoned. After King Herod Agrippa had the apostle James (the brother of John) put to death by the sword, King Herod had Peter imprisoned- intending to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. Acts 12:5 reports the response of the believers: “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer was made to God by the church.”
Mr. Eldredge notes that Peter’s story clearly illustrates the Prayer of Intervention. The church is intervening in prayer for Peter. They intend to change the course of events. The author adds that the Greek word for “very earnestly” is ektenos– the specific adjective used to describe Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. In The Message, Eugene Peterson translates Acts 12:5 in this manner- “the church prayed for him most strenuously.”
The devout Jewish Christians praying for Peter assumed angels were there to help- even serve- people. Indeed, the Concordia Self-Study Bible includes this commentary on Acts 12:15- “his angel reflects the belief that everyone has a personal angel who minister to him.” John states it is safe to say that these prayers were not quick. The believers may have been praying all night.
John theorizes that out of respect for God’s sovereignty and might, we believe that if God is going to act, He will act quickly. John calls this the “Zap View of Prayer.” He observes that such a viewpoint also relieves us of engaging in strenuous prayer. The author concludes:
“Intervening prayer often takes time. And it takes repetition, repeatedly intervening and invoking.”
Today’s question: What, if anything, keeps your from strenuous commitment to the Prayer of Intervention? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Proclaiming, invoking, and enforcing”
