Ole Kristian O. Hallesby wrote, “Listen, my friend! Your helplessness is your best prayer. It calls from your heart to the heart of God with greater effect than all your uttered pleas. He hears it from the very moment that you are seized with helplessness, and He becomes actively engaged at once in hearing and answering the prayer of your helplessness.” God’s word multiplies in breaking the chains of the evil one through united prayer.
Cornelius, a centurion, prayed to God continually. An angel said his prayers ascended as a memorial before God and told him to send men to Joppa to get Peter (Acts 10:1-8). God answers prayer and speaks to an unbeliever who seeks God.
As they approached Joppa, Peter was praying on the housetop. While in a trance, he saw the sky open up and a object like a great sheet coming down containing animals. A voice said to kill and eat but Peter replied that had never eaten anything unholy and unclean. A second time, the voice said to no longer consider unholy what God has cleansed. After this occurred three times, the object went up into the sky (Acts 10:9-16). God speaks to expand your paradigm in ministry.
While perplexed about the vision, the Spirit said three men were looking for him. The men explained to Peter that Cornelius was directed by a holy angel to come and hear a message from him. He told Cornelius that even though it was unlawful to associate with a foreigner, God showed him to not call any man unholy or unclean. Cornelius explained with relatives and close friends present how God instructed him to send for Peter and then asked to hear all that God commanded him to say (Acts 10:17-33). God arranges circumstances so the right person shares the gospel with someone ready to hear.
Peter said he learned that God shows no partiality, but any man who fears God and does what is right is welcome to Him. He preached peace through Jesus who God anointed with the Holy Spirit, power, doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil. Peter said he witnessed Jesus being put to death on a cross, raised up on the third day and made visible to witnesses chosen by God. Jesus ordered them to preach to the people so anyone who believed in Him received forgiveness of sin (Acts 10:34-43). Those who witness Jesus healing the oppressed preach the gospel boldly so people receive forgiveness of sin.
The circumcised believers were amazed that the Holy Spirit fell on those listening to the message. They heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. They asked him to stay for a few days (Acts 10:44-48). Those who believe the gospel get baptized.
Herod had James the brother of John put to death and arrested Peter. While he was in prison, the church prayed fervently for him. An angel appeared, light shone in the cell, his chains fell off and the gate opened into the city with Peter following. When he realized his rescue, Peter went to the house of Mary, the mother of Mark, where many were praying. He described how the Lord led him out of prison (Acts 12:1-17). Fervent united prayer breaks the chains of the evil one.
When Herod could not find Peter, he ordered the guards to be executed. He went to Caesarea angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. Herod delivered an address and the people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” An angel struck him because he did not give God glory and was eaten by worms and died (Acts 12:18-23). Self-seeking and glorifying yourself and not giving God glory destroys and kills you.
The word of the Lord continued to grow and be multiplied. Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem where they fulfilled their mission taking along Mark (Acts 12:24-25). God’s word grows and multiplies when people pray and preach the power of Jesus.
What would happen if you joined with others in praying that the chains of the evil one be broken?
