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Stop.

Blink.

Look around.

Blink again.

He was out. He was out? He was out! HE WAS OUT OF PRISON!

Peter looked around, spinning like a drunken fool trying to find the angel, the real life angel, that had just led him out of prison without so much of a peep from the guards. He was just gone, and Peter was standing in the middle of a dark street not too far from the prison. A breeze kissed his faced, and he could literally smell and taste the freedom - no human waste.

"Now I am sure that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."

He wanted to bow down and worship right then and there, but there was no time. He needed to move. Peter started jogging. He needed to get out of here as soon as possible.

He was at a full run when a thought struck him. What about the church? His run slowed to a jog. Maybe he should tell them. They deserved to know what God had done. It wouldn't be fair to leave them in the dark, doubting God, and worried. He slowed to a walk, and glanced over his shoulder. No, he should run. He should get out of here while he had the chance. There was no knowing when the guards would discover his absence.

But wasn't God mighty enough to keep  protecting him? He owed it to the brothers and sister at the church. He needed to strengthen them, not run like a scared toddler. With that, Peter backtracked several yards, before turning down the street that would take him to his brothers and sisters in Christ.

Based on Acts 12:11-12

"When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying....Then he departed and went to another place."
Acts 12:11-12, 12:17c (last part of verse 17)

When Peter realized that he was awake, and that God had indeed performed an impossible prison break, Peter didn't run. He didn't run and hide, and send word to the church when he was safe. He went immediately to the popular spot - the house of John/Mark's mother. He went straight there, gave his amazing testimony, and then left after doing that.

It wasn't just Peter's prayers in this situation. It was the whole church's prayers. How awful it would have been for them to not know that God had supernaturally saved Peter! How awful it would have been for them to think that God hadn't answered their prayers!

When people, brothers and sisters in Christ, are praying for you, standing in the gap for you, fighting the battle with you, share with them. Share what's happening. Tell them your struggles. Tell them your triumphs. Let them celebrate with you.

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16

Peter went to great extremes in this circumstance to share what God had done. He could have been(arguably should have been) running for his life and getting out of town. Instead, he chose to strengthen the faith of the people in the church by making sure they knew God had answered their prayer. I'd say our circumstances are (usually) far less dire. But instead of strengthening each other, we are too busy, too proud, or too afraid to tell each other what's happening. Guys, strengthen each other by sharing.

V. Joy Palmer