11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Peter is arrested by Herod and imprisoned. In what seemed to be a total overkill, he finds himself watched by four sentries of four guards, to ensure he doesn’t escape.
But in sign to the world that none of Jesus followers need ever be bounded and held back from their mission in life, God through an angel miraculously sets Peter free! (Read Acts 12:6-11).
This also had a profound effect on the fellow believers. The place where the believers were praying was John Mark’s mother’s house. John Mark was a young follower of Jesus, but this incredible miracle had a considerable effect on his life. We know this because the next missionary journey Paul and Barnabas set off on also included John Mark himself, the miraculous answered prayer still alive in his heart! See Acts 12:25
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.
When we are seeking the Lord for a miracle, or a breakthrough or simply an answer to a long standing prayer, the enemy would love for us to shrink back in our asking and seeking because he would tell you what you’re seeking is “selfish”.
Imagine in Peter had not wanted to escape because he didn’t want it “to be about him”? The only one who wins in that situation in the enemy!
The enemy would love nothing more than for you to stop contending, to stop believing and to stop praying on the false premise that it is wrong to keep doing so. What this story of John-Mark tells us is, the answer to prayer you are seeking can impact lives you haven’t even considered and don’t even know about!
Just like John-Mark, when you get your breakthrough there is no telling the ripple effect it will have on others lives. Keep believing, keep praying!