Most Christians believe that God is able to answer prayers in miraculous ways.

How do you respond when your prayers are miraculously answered by God in ways far beyond your understanding?

There is an amazing story in the book of Acts, chapter 12, that illustrates several ways God-fearing believers responded when God answered their prayers in a truly miraculous way.

The apostle James, the first apostle to be martyred, had just been killed “with the sword” by Herod Agrippa I.  Peter was in prison, chained between two guards, knowing that he was likely to be put to death in a similar manner.  At this time “earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church” (Acts 12:5 ESV)   and “many were gathered together and were praying (at the house of Mary)”. (Acts 12:12)

At this point in the story God sends an angel to rescue Peter from the prison.

What were Peter’s first thoughts as he was being rescued? He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. (Acts 12:9 ESV)

• Peter thought that he is seeing a vision.

When (Peter) realized (that God had miraculously intervened by sending an angle to rescue him), he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John … where many were gathered together and were praying. (Acts 12:12)

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. (Acts 12:13-14)

• Rhoda responded irrationally.

They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” (Acts 12:15)

• The people in the house thought that the servant girl was out of her mind and did not believe the good news about Peter’s release from prison.

But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” (Acts 12:15)

• The people were not able to see God’s miraculous intervention and tried to rationalize the events of the evening. They had been praying for Peter and then were not able to believe that God had in fact answered their payers.

But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. (Acts 12:16)

• After witnessing God’s miraculous answer to their prayers they were amazed. They were surprised that God had answered their prayer.

 

How do you respond when your prayers are miraculously answered by God in ways far beyond your understanding?

• Do you think that you are seeing a vision? Do you think that you are having a dream?
• Do you react with irrational behaviors?
• Do you think the people who tell you that they have seen God at work in your life are out of their minds?
• Are you surprised when God answers your prayers?

 

What would be an awesome response to all of God’s miraculous interventions in our lives?

“… . For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 ESV)

We all need to believe that God is able to do anything. We are totally dependent on God.  We need God’s help so that we can have complete trust and confidence in Him.

“I believe; help my unbelief!”  (Mark 9: 24 ESV)

 

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