Praying for prisoners

King Herod began to persecute the church.

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.  (Acts 12:1-5)

The church prayed for Peter and their prayers were answered.

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.  (Acts 12:6,7)

When a believer is imprisoned because of his faith we should pray for him.  The church prayed for Peter and he was freed in response to their prayers.  But should we just pray that the imprisoned believer be released?  Paul might have held a different opinion.

Naaman’s slave

Naaman was a Syrian general who was also a leper.  He came to Elisha for help.

So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.”
2 Kings 5:9-10

He followed Elisha’s instructions and became clean.  This convinced him that the God of Elisha was the true God.

Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.”

But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.”

And he urged him to take it, but he refused. Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD.”
2 Kings 5:15-17

He came to Elisha for physical cleansing but he received spiritual cleansing as well.