Pray Believing

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Catey Stover in Victory Call

“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” Acts 12:5

When Peter faced this imprisonment, his brothers and sisters in Christ came together in fervent prayer.

When Peter realized he had been freed by an angel of the Lord he headed straight to the house where they were gathered for a prayer vigil on his behalf.

“And when Peter had come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.’ So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.” Acts 12:11-12

A girl Rhoda answered the door but upon hearing Peter’s voice was so overjoyed she ran to tell the others. In her child-like faith, it appears she believed their prayers were answered but in her youthful exuberance forgot to open the door.

“And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.” Acts 12:13-14

The same could NOT be said of her adult companions. They were there gathered to pray for Peter, but when Peter presented himself at the gate, what was their response? Unbelief. Perhaps God did not answer their prayers as they anticipated. Regardless, they chided the girl.

“But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”” Acts 12:15

How often do we pray and then completely miss God’s answer because it doesn’t come in the form we anticipated or desired? Would that not be a response of unbelief? When we pray, let us pray in faith, believing, looking intently for the answer in whatever form God chooses to send it.

 

Written By Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and provides ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.


Think About This: There is no greater discovery than seeing God as the author of your destiny.” – Ravi Zacharias

The Daily Bible Reading: Luke 1-4 | You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; -2 Peter 1:10

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

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