Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;
Acts 12:1-17 is an account of God answering prayer but the people praying are reluctant to believe the answer!
After king Herod saw that executing James had pleased the people, he arrested Peter. But because it was during a holy season he had Peter imprisoned and heavily guarded; Planning to make a show of him, after the Passover.
So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made to God intensely by the church.
Acts 12:5
The night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter was sleeping, chained between two soldiers. Suddenly an angel appeared, released him, and led him out of prison.
Even Peter had trouble believing what had happened! Standing by himself, in the street, we’re told, “When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod…”
Going to a house where many Christians were praying, Peter knocked at the gate and Rhoda came to answer. Excited at recognizing Peter’s voice, she rushed in (leaving Peter outside) and announced that Peter was standing at the gate! They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.”
Peter kept knocking and when they finally opened the gate, they were ‘amazed’ to see him!
They were amazed that God had answered their prayers!
Are we sometimes ‘amazed’ when God answers our prayers?
When king Hezekiah prayed for relief from the army threatening to overrun Judah, God said, through Isaiah, “Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.” (2 Kings 19:20) And God promised to protect Jerusalem. (2 Kings 19:33)
God hears our prayers and He will answer! Not recognizing or understanding His answer does not mean He hasn’t heard us!
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8
And He assures us; “I know the plans that I have for you, plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Avinu shbaShomayim – Our Father in heaven – thank You that You hear our prayers, give us the faith to trust Your answers.
From days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who acts on behalf of one who waits for Him.
Isaiah 64:4
Pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Words of Encouragement 