Unstoppable! 'These Chains Won't Hold' — Acts 12:6-7

Thursday, July 9, 2026

The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists.

— Acts 12:6-7 NLT

Key Thought

As Luke shared the details about Herod's arrest, imprisonment, and planned execution of the apostle Peter, he emphasized human restraints aligned against Jesus' servant to keep him confined. Peter was put in prison with 16 guards (Acts 12:4) and was chained to two of them, with others guarding the prison gate. However, none of these precautions could withstand the power and will of God. Throughout the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, Roman officials generally were tolerant, even open, to the truth about Jesus. Still, Jesus' adversaries had to have Roman approval to crucify him, and Pilate granted them that right. For some politicians, political might often trumps what is spiritually right. However, the Scriptures remind us that all those who have misused their political authority to harass, oppose, manipulate, exploit, persecute, and kill Jesus' followers will have to face judgment.* In the end, Jesus' spiritual power always trumps human military and political might. That is one reason we pray with passion!

* See the Related Scripture Readings, below.

Today's Prayer

Loving Father, my prayer today is focused on one concern: Please protect, strengthen, and deliver all of your servants detained and persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. I ask this in the name of my Savior. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Put on Your Sandals!
Devo: Unstoppable!
"Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said,..."
Living My MUSD #5: Shared Prayer through Interceding Personally
Article by Phil Ware
Even when confined to our houses and limited in our travels and frustrated with social distancing, we still have the incredible ability to pray for others. Phil Ware opens the New Testament and reminds of a great way to live out our mission while under social distancing, prayer because prayer has always been a virtual way of blessing others.
Surprised?
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, I hope you enjoy reading the verses below as much as I enjoyed being at work in the lives of My disciples bringing them deliverance. ....."
Committed or Comfortable?
Article by Rick Brown
What do we need to get us to stretch out a bit? Rick Brown talks about a famous photograph and the message to pray and have hope in the darkest of times, and to remember that fervent and earnest prayer is the kind of prayer the early church, the committed church prayed.

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 12:6-7 NLT — The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, July 9, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Strong Words of Warning!'
"Dear Disciple, The verses you will read today contain strong warnings and harsh language for false teachers. These false teachers were leading My..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Isaiah 44:3
"When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Alfred Edersheim:
"For God to explain a trial would be to destroy its purpose, calling forth simple faith and implicit obedience."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 41:1
"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!