The Great Prison Escape: Peter's Story
- Heather Edmund
- Apr 20, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 18
Sometimes things do not go according to how you planned them, or things get in the way of what you have planned. Unexpected obstacles arise, and what you carefully mapped out can suddenly shift or fall apart.
There are also moments when you're pursuing a goal, only to have it delayed, disrupted, or even taken away. In times like these, it's easy to feel discouraged and question whether all your efforts have been in vain.
But faith helps you get through those moments. Faith gives you the strength to press on and serves as a shield to protect the purpose and destiny God has placed within you.
Your faith will lead you to incredible places, unlock doors to extraordinary opportunities, and carry you all the way to your finish line.
Reading the miraculous escape of Peter from prison shows us how faith is the key to our success.
In the Bible, we read about a time when Peter was imprisoned, surrounded by 16 guards assigned to watch over him—guards who were prepared to mistreat him simply because of his faith in Jesus.
Peter was bound with chains on both his hands and feet, and some of the guards were stationed so closely they slept beside him to detect even the slightest movement.
Humanly speaking, there was no way out. His escape or rescue seemed impossible—every door locked, every guard alert, and every move monitored.
In those times, Roman soldiers were held personally responsible for the prisoners they guarded. If a prisoner escaped, the consequence for the guard was often death (Acts 12:19). So escaping was not just unlikely—it was unthinkable. Every measure was taken to ensure Peter would not get away.
Peter was in an impossible situation. Surrounded by 16 guards, chained hand and foot, with no natural way of escape and the full force of the Roman system working against him, his fate appeared sealed.
But that’s exactly where God does His best work—when it seems impossible.
While the soldiers were sleeping an angel entered the prison and woke Peter up without disturbing the sleeping soldiers. And as Peter awoke, his chains fell off his body. Then the angel told Peter to put on his clothes and follow him.
While following the angel, Peter and the angel passed two sleeping guards in the prison as they made their way to the city entrance for their escape.
As they approached the doors, they miraculously opened for them, allowing both the angel and Peter to walk through.
After walking for a block, the angel suddenly departed from Peter, who then realized what had happened. Peter said, “Now I am certain that the Lord has sent his angel to rescue me.”
In the morning, there was confusion among the soldiers as to what had happened to Peter. After King Herod had the place thoroughly search and did not find Peter, he questioned the guards then ordered them to be killed (Acts 12:6-11,18-19).
By delving further into the story, you will observe that the night before Peter's trial, he remained unconcerned due to his confidence and trust in God. Peter's faith kept him in God's perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).
Faith takes us through our perils journeys
Faith is a gift from God that helps us remain confident in Him. It is also a fruit of the Spirit—a quality that must be nurtured and cultivated over time. And when needed, and the authority or power you have available when needed.
When you place your faith in God during times of conflict, you too will walk in victory.
Faith is more than belief—it is a powerful weapon. When you wield your faith in the face of fear, worry, and doubt, it dismantles their grip and destroys their influence over your life.
Moreover, faith leads to faithfulness. When you truly believe in who God is and trust in what He can do, you begin to live in alignment with that truth.
Walking in faith, is the natural response to unwavering faith—it’s choosing to walk with God daily, grounded in His promises and anchored in His Word.
Having faith is your protection
When you choose to hold onto faith instead of focusing on the problem, your life becomes anything but ordinary. At first, it might not look that way—your circumstances may seem to contradict what you’re believing for. But if you stay the course and persevere in faith, in time, the results will speak for themselves. Faith doesn't just change outcomes—it transforms you along the way.
Choosing to cling to faith rather than focusing on the problem can transform your life into something remarkable. And like Peter, when you have faith in God amidst difficult circumstances, you will triumph.
With God by your side, no one can oppose you.
In the battle between King Abijah and King Jeroboam, even though Jeroboam had twice as many soldiers as Abijah, Abijah managed to defeat Jeroboam's army.
Abijah stealthily approached Jeroboam and his troops, launching a surprise attack. This strategy succeeded for Abijah because he had faith in the Lord and followed His guidance. Abijah's trust in God enabled him to overcome Jeroboam and his forces. If God supports you, then who can oppose you? (Romans 8:31).
When it comes to having strong faith, there are two things you must do:
Read the Bible. To nurture and strengthen your faith, it is essential to consistently engage with the Bible. Romans 10:17 KJV states, “so faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." By studying and exploring the Scriptures, your faith will grow stronger.
Believe. Having belief is essential for activating your faith. Don't let what you see or experience influence you. Stay steadfast and don't be moved by your present situation; instead, cling to God's promises. Keep your conviction strong, no matter the obstacles you encounter. The fact that something hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't occur. Similarly, just because you're still dealing with a situation doesn't mean it won't eventually resolve.
Faith is a gift given to you, a principle that will help you stay confident in God, a fruit that needs to be cultivated, and the authority you have available when needed.
Here's what to read next — Living Life Unstoppable
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A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, His spirit will become one with yours. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You don't have to go through someone else to get to God, as you and Him are now one.
All you must do is receive salvation, simply choosing to repent of your sins and welcome Jesus into your life by confessing Him as Lord. In Romans 10:9 Paul said, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Here's a Prayer that you can pray to get saved:
Jesus, I confess that you are Lord, and I believe in my heart that you died and were risen for my sins. I ask for forgiveness of my sins, and I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior—in Jesus' name, Amen.
After this step, pray for guidance to find a ministry where you can grow spiritually, gain knowledge about the kingdom, and begin living the abundant life promised by Jesus.
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