Surprise, Your Prayers Have Been Answered!
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” (Acts 12:1-16)
Today’s Morsel: Are you one of those who pray without believing? There are many people who pray daily, and yet they don’t have the faith to believe that God will answer or come through for them. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Scripture say that Peter was put in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Here is a church praying without faith. God answered their prayers by delivering Peter, and scripture says, “and when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, it is his angel. But Peter continued knocking, and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” They couldn’t believe it. Surprise - their prayers were answered, and they couldn’t believe it. I’ve heard people pray for people to be healed, for folks to come to church, for people to get jobs, backslidden children to return to the church, and on and on it goes. And when these things happen, they are surprised. They make comments such as, “I can’t believe that I got that job.” “I’m totally shocked that they came to church.” “Man, I never thought that I would see you here.” “Did you hear that they were delivered from cancer.” “I can’t believe that I didn’t have to pay for those repairs.” Where is your faith, Jesus asked? Jesus said, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24) Can you stop being faithless and believe?
Sing: Nothing is too difficult for Thee, Nothing is too difficult for Thee. Great and mighty God, in counsel, mighty in deed. Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing; nothing is too difficult for Thee.
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