Pray with Expectation

“So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church.” (Acts 12:5 CSB)

Let’s quickly review the rest of that story. King Herod brutally attacked some who belonged to the church in Jerusalem. He beheaded James the brother of John and proceeded to arrest Peter. He intended to execute Peter the next day, but the church earnestly prayed to God for Peter. God sent an angel during the night who opened doors and led Peter unseen past the guards through doors and into the city before disappearing. Peter went to the home of Mary the mother of John Mark where he knew some believers would be. Initially, the church thought that Rhoda, the servant girl, was crazy for thinking that Peter was at the gate, but they shortly learned that it really was him. Peter told them to report everything to James. This was James the half-brother of Jesus. Then, Peter departed to another place.

From this story we learn some important lessons about prayer.

First, we learn that prayer is a powerful event and probably one that is more powerful than we realize. The reason it is more powerful than we realize is because God is more powerful than we sometimes think He is. This has more to do with our human limitations. The church prayed earnestly for Peter, but when he was released and at the door, the church did not believe it. They prayed earnestly, but probably with not a lot of expectation.

Second, we learn that when we as a church pray together and pray with unity in seeking God and asking Him to do something we need, we can expect a clear answer or direction from God. Jesus said that whatever we ask in His name, He will do. God will respond according to His will, but we also need to understand that God is capable of changing His mind. God knows the future, and we trust it all to Him. But when something weighs heavily on our minds and hearts, we need then to come together as one in earnest, concerted, on-going, and believing prayer to God.

And when God answers, let’s not be quite so surprised!

Lord, We thank You that You are the power of prayer. It isn’t prayer, but it’s You. And You respond when Your people come before You in earnest prayer. Help us to turn to You in prayer expectantly. Amen.