Acts 12:11 - When God Answers Our Prayer
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 and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."
--Acts 12:11 NASB
When we pray, we do so with the faith that, whatever our request, God will answer our prayers. But why do we sometimes react with disbelief when God actually answers our prayers?
The Scripture passage in Acts 12:1-19 tells an amazing story of disbelief when God answered prayer. King Herod decided to go after the church at Jerusalem during the week of Passover. One of his first major acts was to execute the Apostle James, the brother of John. When Herod noticed how much his popularity increased among the Jews, he was inspired to arrest and imprison the Apostle Peter, surrounding him with four squads of four soldiers. Herod planned a very public execution Peter after Passover.
From the moment that Peter was arrested, the members of the church prayed intensely for his release. Whether Peter lived or died, Peter remained confident in the Lord. And as the time approached for his execution, Peter slept soundly, shackled between the soldiers.
Suddenly, Peter was shaken awake, not by the soldiers, but by an angel. Wondering whether he was still dreaming, Peter followed the angel’s commands. He dressed quickly and followed the angel passed all of the soldiers and out of the prison. When the angel left him in the dark city street, Peter finally realized that God had answered his prayers and that he was really free.
Peter made his way to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, which was packed inside and out with believers who were praying to God for Peter’s release. It actually took a few moments before those in the house believed that Peter was free and standing outside, beating on the door.
When they finally opened the door and saw that it was Peter, all within the house cheered and praised God for answering their prayer. They then helped to quietly transport Peter out of Jerusalem before Herod and the soldiers knew what had happened.
Perhaps Peter and this bothers and sisters in Christ were amazed at the way in which God had answered their prayer. Perhaps they expected that God would have Herod order Peter to be released, or maybe that God would cause an earthquake that would break open the prison and allow Peter to escape during the confusion. But to free Peter in such a way that it left not doubt as to who was responsible? How could they not have seen that coming? We should be careful not to limit God in our prayers. After all, He is God.
Father, I thank You for answering my prayers. Forgive me when I put limits on how I expect Your answers to come. And remind me that all ways are Your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.
-
--Acts 12:11 NASB
When we pray, we do so with the faith that, whatever our request, God will answer our prayers. But why do we sometimes react with disbelief when God actually answers our prayers?
The Scripture passage in Acts 12:1-19 tells an amazing story of disbelief when God answered prayer. King Herod decided to go after the church at Jerusalem during the week of Passover. One of his first major acts was to execute the Apostle James, the brother of John. When Herod noticed how much his popularity increased among the Jews, he was inspired to arrest and imprison the Apostle Peter, surrounding him with four squads of four soldiers. Herod planned a very public execution Peter after Passover.
From the moment that Peter was arrested, the members of the church prayed intensely for his release. Whether Peter lived or died, Peter remained confident in the Lord. And as the time approached for his execution, Peter slept soundly, shackled between the soldiers.
Suddenly, Peter was shaken awake, not by the soldiers, but by an angel. Wondering whether he was still dreaming, Peter followed the angel’s commands. He dressed quickly and followed the angel passed all of the soldiers and out of the prison. When the angel left him in the dark city street, Peter finally realized that God had answered his prayers and that he was really free.
Peter made his way to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, which was packed inside and out with believers who were praying to God for Peter’s release. It actually took a few moments before those in the house believed that Peter was free and standing outside, beating on the door.
When they finally opened the door and saw that it was Peter, all within the house cheered and praised God for answering their prayer. They then helped to quietly transport Peter out of Jerusalem before Herod and the soldiers knew what had happened.
Perhaps Peter and this bothers and sisters in Christ were amazed at the way in which God had answered their prayer. Perhaps they expected that God would have Herod order Peter to be released, or maybe that God would cause an earthquake that would break open the prison and allow Peter to escape during the confusion. But to free Peter in such a way that it left not doubt as to who was responsible? How could they not have seen that coming? We should be careful not to limit God in our prayers. After all, He is God.
Father, I thank You for answering my prayers. Forgive me when I put limits on how I expect Your answers to come. And remind me that all ways are Your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.
-
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