SCRIPTURE:
“Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
Acts 12:13-14
OBSERVATION:
The church had been praying earnestly for Peter’s release (Acts 12:5) and here we find him freed and knocking on the door to see them. Rhoda seems to be the only one who believed their prayers were answered for she didn’t even answer the door. While she shares what she has heard, they call her crazy (Acts 12:15). They were astonished when Peter walked into the room.
APPLICATION:
I wonder how many of us pray like this? We pray earnestly, seek out The Lord and intercede for the Lord to intervene. THEN when He does come through, we are genuinely surprised. As the believers did here, we are astonished that our prayers were answered.
There have been times in my life when I have earnestly sought out the Lord, petitioned His divine intervention and prayed constantly for His help. I knew that for things to change, for things to happen, it would only be through Him. Praying for healing, restoration and renewal in various of my life and for those around me, it was during those times of expectation that The Lord began to move.
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” – Psalm 5:3
There’s power in praying in unity with others (Matthew 18:20) and praying in expectation that The Lord will not only hear us, but will answer our prayers. Have all of my prayers gotten answered? No, but it’s not for me to decide which ones do and which ones don’t. That is up to The Lord. And if I’m being honest, there are some prayers I’m glad He never answered.
My responsibility? I must continue to pray and do so in expectation.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have prayed and doubted. Thank You Lord for the prayers You answer. May I pray expectantly, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
