"Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed."
Acts 12:16
Acts 12:16
Let's back up a bit to the close of yesterday's reading:
"But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him."
Acts 12:5
Acts 12:5
Yesterday, we left the church, an assembly of believers praying for Peter's release. The church had cause to pray for their brother Peter. James had already been put to death and it appeared that Peter was next. Scripture tells us they prayed earnestly, which translates as fervently, without ceasing, or assiduously. Assiduously begged to be researched. It means constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task; persevering; industrious; attentive; unremitting. In other words these people were praying for Peter and had no plans to stop until they got an answer.
Then they got an answer. How did they react? They were amazed. The Greek translated word for amazed means to throw out of position, displace, throw into wonderment, astounded; to be beside one's self. It makes me chuckle to think of this assembly of people being "displaced from their position" as they stared in wonder at the answer to their intentional prayer. They suggested that the young girl who went to the door was out of her mind. In others words, "There is no way God could have answered our prayer."
Has this ever happened to you? You intentionally, fervently, with great effort, and unremitting determination prayed for something. Then when your answer came, the answer you prayed for, you stood in wonder. You couldn't believe that God had answered your prayer.
If it has happened, you are not the first and won't be the last. Why do we act so surprised when God answers our prayers? Honestly speaking, at least for me, I don't pray with complete faith and belief that God will answer my prayer. I offer prayers of hesitation and prayers with an "it's OK if you don't" attitude. How this type of praying must disappoint our powerful God.
May we pray with same intensity and tenacity as this assembly but react as if we were expecting the answer.
May we pray with same intensity and tenacity as this assembly but react as if we were expecting the answer.
7 Comments:
I truly believe we grow closer in our relationship to our Father through prayer. It is similar to the relationships we have here on Earth. Can you imagine just speaking to your husband once a day? You would not be very close. The more I converse with God throughout the day, the closer I feel to Him. The more I feel like I'm in His Will. The more you pray, the more He answers, and I've found over and over again, His ways are just better. There's no getting around it; He's God!
What could Peter's friends do for him? Oh, the power of prayer! Praying without ceasing. Herod was rich and powerful. Peter's friends were poor . But God heard the prayers for what seemed an impossible situation. We need to remember today's reading and never forget, when God moves in the interest of His children, no mountain is too great for Him. God can easily do what is impossible for us!
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:27)
Today we are reminded again our purpose for why we are on Earth:
"I have made you a light...to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth," (Acts 44:47). Oh, I know I do not keep this purpose on the top of my To Do list, like I should! This should be a focal point that we all hold on to. He's given us eternal life. He daily washes our sins away. We have Jesus living in our heart. We have His Spirit guiding us, even when we sleep. Oh, He's given us so much. The least we could do is share His goodness.
I too am enjoying the readings in Acts, and getting to know the early believers. They were filled with the Spirit. They prayed in unity. There is power in unity. Believers praying together can change the world. We've seen that here in our group this year! It's very easy for the world to sweep us off of out feet. To get drawn into it's sin. Surrounding ourselves with encouraging Christians, reading His Word daily, and praying will keep us planted on the path, clinging to Him, being close enough to hear His whisper's and see the direction He wants to lead us to.
Thank you Wendy! Thank you everyone! I love your comments, love to read your God Moments and feel so close to you all as I lift you up in prayer. God is good. Lori-AZ
Ah yes, the emotional paradox of believing and doubting in prayer. The doubting in this passage is not that God can, but God will. I love the truth that nothing weak in me can weaken God. My doubt that God may answer my request doesn't change God's answer. God can handle my doubt. No power can hold what God wants to release.
In Acts 12:7 it says, "the chains fell off his wrists." Peter was in prison up until the night before his trial (vs.6), but Peter wasn't really held there by Herod, but by God. There was a purpose for the "night before" intervention. God likes to take us to the edge. He's teaching us to keep praying in the face of heavens silence. The fact that Peter was SLEEPING!!! (vs.6) clearly shows Peter's trust and peace in the Lord, but what about those praying? We can't quit too soon, thinking nothing can be done now, it's the last hour. God is encouraging us to pray until the last night...the last moment.
Praying trains us in dependency, right to the edge, and that's where God wants us, with no other help or explaination in sight.
"Now I know without a doubt that the Lord...rescued me..." (vs 11 NIV).
Another verse we read this morning dealt with this too. "Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed." (Acts 14:9) Not only did this crippled man believe God could, but He would. Beautiful example of trust in God. Wonder what God sees when He looks straight at me and sees my faith?
James 1:6 says, "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." The word 'doubt' in this passage is doubting that God can. We have to believe that nothing is impossible with God, and pray believing, yet leave the answer to Him. If God doesn't answer the way we prayed, it is never because He can't, but because He has a different purpose. Praying doesn't guarantee our will, but when I pray the cause of God will go forward. It's when I get to the point of not wanting more to move God with my prayer, but be satisfied in reaching God and resting in His results, that my prayer becomes an act of faith.
I also just want to mention a couple of other verses quickly.
"...if you have any word of encouragement for the people, come and give it." Acts 13:15 What a blessing that verse is to me, as I was just asked to speak at a Christmas Ladies event. The Lord graciously put my speaking "on hold" over the last 8 months in caring for dad, and the timing of this invitation couldn't be better. This confirmation this morning is such a blessing.
Finally..."We are merely human beings - just like you!" (Acts 14:15) How easy it is to get caught up in following the man and not the message and the Messiah. We have to remember those who speak and teach well and get right to our hearts, are just delivering God's Word, not the Deliverer. It's the Holy Spirit probing your heart, not the person speaking, writing etc... A good reminder to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and follow Him alone.
Well, need to go write my blog post now. What a wonderful morning in His Word. So glad to be following with all of you girls. Blessings today and hugs,
Joy
Out of all the times I have read over this passage or heard it in a message, I don't think I have given it much thought before about Petter being asleep while the church prayed up until the last hour of his rescue. And even more amazing to me is that after the church prayed so fervantly, even up to the last hour, they were in disbelief that Peter was at there door. How many times have we prayed in faith, GOD answer, & we too feel disbelief when it happens?
I know in my own life right now, ther is a family situation that sometimes I just get tired of praying for. It's true, I'll not deny it. But this reading this morning gives me more understanding for the need of prayer. Our family has prayed for 9 1/2 years over this situation. I feel like I need more faith when I do pray about it that God WILL move, in HIS time, in HIS way. It's not up to me to say, "well Lord I don't see anything happening and I'm tired of praying." In other areas of my life I have peace over cirstances (God's timing and ways is best) and this one should be no different, but somehow I've let it be. I enjoyed your thoughts, Lori's & Joyful's comments this morning as I read the passage for myself. Great encouragement! It made me think of the many miracles preformed right here in this passage.
1. An angel appears to Peter.
2. They break out of jail.
3. The front gates open all by themselves.
4. Prayer was answered for the church.
I've been encouraged this morning. THank you.
And thank you Wendy for getting me in touch with Sharon about the Bibles. She gave me the "skinny" on it. The NLT just moves a little quicker. I had to look ahead for your today's reading. So thank you, I wouldn't have known that if Sharon hand't told me. :o) I hope I wasn't a "pest" about it. LOL. Thanks again for your time and help. I'm really enjoying being a part of your posts and recieving the encouragement. This is an answer to one of my prayers.
My lesson is that you can’t live in fear and claim faith. I think of Moses as he stood before the red sea. Trapped with Pharos’s army in close pursuit, he couldn’t see a way out, but he knew God had led him there. Moses stood still and the wind began to blow and it blew harder. Moses stood still knowing the whole time that God had a plan and he was to do anything for Him. Suddenly the wind parted the red sea and there was dry land.
Because Moses stood in faith, a way out was provided. I am sure there had to have been at least one moment that Moses had fear, but it was what he chooses to do with it that made the difference.
So my nugget today is that I stand in faith being what God wants me to be. I will continue to chase hard after him, no matter what. The winds are blowing and change is always near. As long as the wind blows then I know I am alive.
Blessings on the cold rainy day,
Diane
Goodness how all of your responses encourage me! The texts these days are exciting on their own, but to read what you all have mined from them lifts me right out of my chair!
Diane ~ how well timed and God sent are your words "as long as the wind blows then I know I am alive."
I woke today to gusting winds and sideways rain...not unusal here in SE Alasks, but not one of the most beloved features, either...:) Your statement put a whole new spin on it for me...I will raincoat up and face those blustery winds thanking God for the level of alive-ness he has given me today!
Thanks be to God!
Also, I want to add to the discussion on answered prayer:
How often I have said or it has been said to me when celebrating answered prayer "why are we so amazed? we pray boldly and confidently with the faith of children who know their father cannot ever say no to them...and then we are surprised!" It helps me to understand it by thinking of it on simpler terms ~ very much like "knowing" you are going to get your first bike (because you asked Santa!)...or your engagement ring (because all the signs are there)...or to find the perfect Christmas tree (because everyone will be home for Christmas)...once it has been given to you and no longer something you envision but something you have RECIEVED...you are humble, grateful and amazed. It becomes a completley new gift, and you are weak in the knees with joy.
That's what God does...every day.
Praise his name!
Love & blessings to all from AK,
Liz
I enjoyed reading everyone's posts today. Too many prayers I pray without much expectancy. How sad. It's like feeling undeserving to have a prayer answered the way I would like. There's a fine line between praying in His will and praying in mine. So sometimes when the answer is "no" it feels like unanswered prayer.
He has surely awed me many times with answering my prayers the way I had hoped for! And yes, I felt giddy and surprised...but like Liz stated...because it felt like getting a present!
Morgen - MN
Jumping on board with joy in these last months before you all start over again in Jan, when I'll officially read through the Bible for the first time. Wendy's P31 entry a week or so ago inspired me to join in this journey. After reading today's Words, then reading the comments, I just have to say I'm so glad I'm not the only one that prays to God wanting to believe He'll answer me and hear me, yet doubts He'll actually do it my way, which is why it's a surprise when He does! I guess I know my own human perspective on the situation is always "dim" and due to my fallen nature, I don't yet see through the glass clearly. Knowing this, I ask God to answer a prayer for me, but also understand that He can see the bigger pic and the why's and when's and how's. So, I guess it's trusting Him to protect me from my human doubt and discouraging thoughts that can cloud everything up. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding... this is the verse I run to.
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