Jesus Gives You the Power to Be Faithful

Acts 12:1-19

Our story comes from a book, or part, of the Bible called Acts. That name is short for “the Acts of the Apostles.” The word "Apostle" is another word to describe a helper of Jesus.

Our story is about a man named Peter and how his friends didn’t give up on him. We call this being faithful. Peter was a very good friend of Jesus. Peter and Jesus spent a lot of time together. After Jesus died and came back, Jesus told Peter to tell everyone about Him. So that’s what Peter did!


One day, Peter was thrown in jail for telling people that Jesus is alive and wants to be their friend forever. Jail is not a fun place, and Peter did not want to be there.


When Peter’s friends heard that he was in jail, they knew they had to do something to help him. Peter’s friends began praying and asking God to help Peter.


Peter’s friends kept praying and praying and praying for him. It was hard to keep praying when nothing was happening, but they didn’t give up. They were faithful and stuck to it.


And even though the people at the jail put 16 big guards in front of Peter’s jail cell, his friends kept praying and praying. They were faithful and stuck to it.


And even though the people at the jail chained Peter to the guards, his friends kept praying and praying. They were faithful and stuck to it.


Then, while Peter and all the guards were asleep, an angel woke Peter up!


Suddenly, Peter’s chains fell off and the door to the jail opened! Peter was free!


Peter followed the angel down the road until the angel went away. Peter knew that God had rescued him. He was so excited he ran to find his friends! When Peter got to his friends, he knocked on the door.


When Peter’s friends opened the door, he found them praying for him, and they could see that God had answered their prayers!


Peter’s friends never gave up. They were faithful and stuck to it. And guess what! We can stick to it, too. When we’re friends with Jesus, we have the power to be faithful and stick to it. Jesus gives us the power to do everything!



Bible Paraphrase: I can do everything by the power of Christ. – Philippians 4:13, NIrV
Text Truth: Jesus gives you the power to be faithful.


Family Devotional

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. — Acts 12:5

Peter had some really good friends that were faithful, stuck to it, and kept praying for him. They prayed and prayed and prayed for Peter while he was in jail. And God sent an angel to get Peter out of jail. When Jesus is our friend, He gives us the power to be faithful, too. Jesus gives us the power to do everything!

I can do everything by the power of Christ. – Philippians 4:13, NIrV

With your family, make a list of things you want to be faithful in doing—things you need to stick to and not give up. Maybe you want to be faithful in learning how to ride a bike or tie your shoes or help your little brother or sister. Maybe you want to be faithful to pray for your family, be a good friend, or practice your Bible verses. Think about what you want to be faithful to.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. Thank God for being so faithful to you. Acknowledge that He never gives up, that He always loves you, that He is always with you, and that He always listens to you. Ask God to help each of you to follow Jesus so He will give you power to be faithful and do things like (read through your list). Acknowledge to God your love for Him.

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