Unstoppable! 'Heading to Mary's House' — Acts 12:11-12

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Peter finally came to his senses [after the angel released him from prison]. "It's really true!" he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!"

When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer.

— Acts 12:11-12 NLT

Key Thought

Let me make three simple observations for these verses:

  1. Peter knew that Herod planned to execute him, as he had done to James the brother of John..
  2. Peter "came to his senses" and realized that God had truly delivered him from Herod's grasp through the work of the angel and as an answer to the prayers of other believers.
  3. Peter knew where to go to find the people who were praying for his deliverance: Mary's house, "where many were gathered for prayer"!

Our houses can be described in many ways - beautiful, expensive, simple, craftsman, colonial, modern, etc. Shouldn't we strive for our homes to be known like Mary's home was known? I want my home to be known as a place where believers gather to pray big prayers, even seemingly impossible prayers, to God!

Today's Prayer

O Father, may my home be known as a place of prayer. May my family be a family where believers feel welcomed and wanted. May our friends join us as we cry out to you. Our heart desires that your Kingdom come and that your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

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Devo: A Year with Jesus
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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.
Living My MUSD #5: Shared Prayer through Interceding Personally
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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.

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 12:11-12 NLT — Peter finally came to his senses [after the angel released him from prison]. "It's really true!" he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!" When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer.

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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.

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