WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24
Scripture: Acts 12:1-3

Acts 12:1-3 records the evil King Herod coming against the leaders of the church. The verses state, “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.” Is there any doubt that had Herod not been arrested by prayers of the church, he would have killed Peter also? Herod had James killed and he had Peter in jail with an season already set to bring him out and kill him. When we see an evil leader bringing destruction on a nation, how do we pray? If we pray by America’s tradition, we most often pray that God will save the leader. But if we are led by and pray by the Holy Spirit, we may pray be led to pray judicially. There should be little doubt as to how the early church prayed for Herod. I am almost certain they prayed judicially, as Paul and Barnabas were there to teach them how. Is it possible that judgment and removal of rotten leaders is only a prayer away? It absolutely is possible and we need to start praying it.