Is any thing too hard for the Lord?  Genesis 18:14

While I was reading Acts 12:1-19, the passage about Peter’s imprisonment and his rescue by an angel, God drew my attention to two details: the believers who pray for Peter and their reaction to God’s response to their prayers.  I read in verse 5 that the church was praying constantly for Peter. We aren’t told the content of their prayers, but the believers no doubt asked God to deliver Peter. When Peter came to their door and Rhoda informed the believers, their response was disbelief. When Rhoda insisted that Peter was alive and outside the door, his friends thought that Peter’s angel was visiting them. When they finally saw Peter for themselves, they were amazed.

Some elements of this passage are almost comical: the maid forgetting to open the door, Peter waiting stranded on the doorstep. The scripture also reveals something about human nature. Jesus tells us, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matt. 21:22). How many times do we pray for something without believing that God is capable of doing what we ask? But the Bible tells us, “With God, all things are possible” (Mark 10:27).

Dear God, strengthen our faith so that we pray with confidence, and open our eyes to see how you answer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.