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經文：「於是彼得被囚在監裡。教會卻為他切切的禱告神。」（徒12:5） 那時彼得被囚在監裡等待處決，而教會也沒有能力與勢力可以拯救他。眼看地上的幫助已不可得，可是天上的幫助還在。他們切切地禱告神，神就差遣祂的使者在夜間拍醒彼得，又領他過了第一層、第二層監牢。來到臨街的鐵門，那門自動打開，彼得就得了自由。 親愛的讀者，在你的道路上也許也有鐵門阻礙前進。你或許會像一隻籠中鳥不停地拍打門閂；可是不但沒有幫助，反而使你非常疲憊與疼痛。如果，你能學會秘訣，就不致如此了。 甚麼秘訣？就是相信禱告；這樣當你來到鐵門旁，那門就會自己開啟。如果你能想像當初的教會是如何地懇切禱告，你就會節省許多精力，免除許多煩惱。困難得以勝過，逆境得以穿越，被惡者所捆綁的親友也都能得到釋放。--C.H.P. 危急的時候，是禱告最懇切的時候。就像以利亞在迦密山頂屈身於地，將臉伏在兩膝中間。雖然沒有出聲的話語，他的全人卻已經與神合一，與神同心合意地反對惡者的勢力。這就是我們禱告時所當有的態度。--譯自屈膝的時候 The BentKnee Time 說不出來的嘆息，常常是不能拒絕的禱告。--司布眞 C.H. Spurgeon 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "Peter was kept in prison: but prayer (instant and earnest prayer) was made for him" Peter was in prison awaiting his execution. The Church had neither human power nor influence to save him. There was no earthly help, but there was help to be obtained by the way of Heaven. They gave themselves to fervent, importunate prayer. God sent His angel, who aroused Peter from sleep and led him out through the first and second wards of the prison; and when they came to the iron gate, it opened to them of its own accord, and Peter was free. There may be some iron gate in your life that has blocked your way. Like a caged bird you have often beaten against the bars, but instead of helping, you have only had to fall back tired, exhausted and sore at heart. There is a secret for you to learn, and that is believing prayer; and when you come to the iron gate, it will open of its own accord. How much wasted energy and sore disappointment will be saved if you will learn to pray as did the Church in the upper room! Insurmountable difficulties will disappear; adverse circumstances will prove favorable if you learn to pray, not with your own faith but with the faith of God (Mark 11:22, margin). Souls in prison have been waiting for years for the gate to open; love ones out of Christ, bound by Satan, will be set free when you pray till you definitely believe God. --C. H. P. Emergencies call for intense prayer. When the man becomes the prayer nothing can resist its touch. Elijah on Carmel, bowed down on the ground, with his face between his knees, that was prayer--the man himself. No words are mentioned. Prayer can be too tense for words. The man's whole being was in touch with God, and was set with God against the powers of evil. They couldn't withstand such praying. There's more of this embodied praying needed. --The Bent-knee Time "Groanings which cannot be uttered are often prayers which cannot be refused."--C. H. Spurgeon ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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