One of the pillars of our church, Harvest Bible Chapel, is “Believing Firmly in the Power of Prayer”.
This morning I was reading in Acts 12 where Peter has been imprisoned by Herod, and an angel comes in the night to release him.
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.
(Acts 12:12-16 ESV)
The people had been gathered together to pray, most likely for the release of Peter. Yet, when God answered their prayers and he shows up, they didn’t believe it!
God wants us to pray specifically, asking in faith, expecting to receive. Too often I add “if it is your will” onto my prayers, just to be safe. It is actually a cop out, giving me an out for not exercising deep faith.
I need to go deeper in my prayers, praying, KNOWING that God’s desire is to answer, KNOWING that He WILL answer my prayers – maybe not always exactly as I prayed, or when I think he will, but practicing FAITH to believe firmly in the power of prayer.
