Peter asleep in prison, a bedtime story

Peter was one of Jesus’ friends, and he loved to tell people about Jesus.

But King Herod did not like that. He had Peter taken and put in prison. He gave him sixteen soldiers to guard him, four groups of four, to make very sure Peter could not get away.

Peter’s friends heard what had happened. They had no way to open the prison, so they prayed to God for Peter, and they kept on praying.

Now it was the night before Herod meant to bring Peter out. It was very late, and very dark inside the prison.

Where was Peter? He was lying between two soldiers, bound with two chains. More guards stood in front of the door. And Peter was fast asleep.

He was sleeping, the deep sleep of someone who is not afraid. Even there, in the dark, in chains, Peter could rest.

Then, in the middle of the night, an angel of the Lord came and stood beside him. A light shone in the dark cell.

The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him up. Stand up quickly! And the chains fell off Peter’s hands.

The angel told him to put on his belt and tie on his sandals. Then he told him to wrap his cloak around him and follow. So Peter did. He was so sleepy and so surprised that he thought he must be dreaming.

They walked past the first guard. They walked past the second guard. They came to the big iron gate that led out into the city, and the gate opened all by itself. Out they went, and down one street, and then the angel was gone.

Peter stood still in the cool night air. Now he was wide awake. This was not a dream. The Lord had sent his angel and brought him out.

So Peter went to the house of a woman named Mary, where many of his friends had gathered and were praying. He knocked at the door of the gate.

A girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she heard Peter’s voice, she was so glad that she forgot to open the door. She ran back inside to tell everyone that Peter was standing outside.

At first they did not believe her. And Peter kept on knocking, and knocking. When at last they opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.

Peter waved his hand to hush them. Then, quietly, he told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison.

Think of that night. A room full of friends, awake and praying. And Peter, in the dark, asleep. You do not have to stay awake to keep yourself safe. People who love you are near, and God is awake all night long. So you can sleep, the way Peter slept. Close your eyes now.