How many times have you prayed for something to happen, and when it came to pass, you were shocked! We see the result of our prayer, but obviously, we were not convinced God would answer. We would never say that because we know we are supposed to pray and believe, but our reactions tell what is really in our minds. I wonder what God would do for those who prayed according to scripture and acted as if God had already answered. Would we see greater results, or could it be that the great results are already around us, but because we are not in tune, we can’t see where God is working?
In Acts chapter 12, we have two accounts where God has worked and answered prayer, but it surprised those involved. First, we have Peter in prison. James, John’s brother, had just been beheaded, and when Herod saw that it pleased the Jews, he sought Peter.
Herod delivered Peter to 16 soldiers to guard him and keep him in prison. His intent was to bring him before the Jews and kill him. In verse 5, we see that the whole church was praying for Peter’s release. During the night, while Peter was asleep between 2 guards and bound with chains, an angel comes and shines a light on Peter. The angel punched Peter in the side to wake him up. Peter gets up as the angel tells him and gets dressed. He walks past all the guards and through the iron gate. Peter still is not sure if he is dreaming or what is truly happening. In verse 11, we see he believes what is happening is real: “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.”
Act 12:4-11 “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.”
Peter was not sure what was going on until he was outside the gate. He is “considering” or trying to figure out what he has just experienced. He now proceeds to go to the home, where he knew he could find Christian friends. When he arrives, he knocks on the door. Remember, it is the middle of the night, but because he knew those who lived there, he continues to knock. He also knew he needed refuge because when Herod found out he was gone, he would be a sought-after fugitive.
The second show of unbelief was at the house of Christian friends. A young girl named Rhoda comes to the door. She sees Peter, but doesn’t let him in! She returns to those who are praying for Peter, but leaves Peter outside! As she explains to all those inside, that Peter is at the gate, they too start trying to figure out what is going on. They think she is crazy. They think Peter must be dead, and now there is an angel at the door. Peter continues to knock. I can just see Peter standing at the door knocking, but trying not to wake all the neighbors. Can’t you hear impetus Peter saying in a low voice, “Hey guys, it’s me, Peter, let me in.” Eventually, they let him in realizing God has answered their prayer.
Acts 12:12-17 “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. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed and went into another place.”
Every time I read this passage, I laugh. It is so like us to ask God for something and when He answers, we are so surprised we can hardly react. Why didn’t Peter understand from the beginning? He had been with Jesus and witnessed the miracles. Yet, he still was in a state of shock when released. Why did those praying not believe it was Peter? God had answered what they had been praying for all night.
How much are we just like those Christians praying for Peter? If you are praying according to God’s will and truly believe, there is no reason to doubt. We should not be surprised when God answers our prayer. Maybe we are like the father in Mark chapter 9. His son had a spirit that caused him to be unable to speak. He was unable to function as a normal child because of convulsions brought on by this evil spirit. He asks Jesus to help his son and Jesus replied: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” To this, the father replied, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
I am not promoting a “name it and claim it gospel.” God is not a Santa in the sky waiting for us to ask things that will not bring Him glory. However, he is a God who hears and wants to answer. He wants to show himself to His saints who truly have put their faith in Him, and believe He will answer according to His will. However, we need to grab onto the truths in Ephesians 3:20. He will answer exceedingly, abundantly above what we ask! To that, I say WOW, what a God!
Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him, that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
