Astonishment of the Church After Their Prayer Was Answered

Acts 12:12-17

How many of us have prayed for a situation to change, and when it did, we were astonished? Your prayer could have been personal, an intercessory prayer on behalf of a fellow brother or sister in Christ, for an end to a global pandemic such as COVID-19, or other.  What is most comforting about prayer is that it is our direct line of communication with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Believers have always prayed. James declares that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16b, NIV). If the righteous didn’t pray, this world would be more chaotic than ever.

In the early days of the church at Antioch, King Herod had Peter arrested, and the church prayed for their brother without ceasing (v.5). When their prayer was answered, the church responded in astonishment. We dare not judge them; it happened then, and it happens now.

Peter was bound with two chains, asleep between two soldiers, and two others guarded the door when he was delivered from the shackles of chains by an angel of God. The angel led him safely outside and left him. When he came to himself, he went to the house where many believers had been gathered in prayer all night (v.12). Peter knocked at the door, Rhoda answered (v.13), and recognizing his voice, she ran off joyfully without opening the door to tell the others their prayer had been answered; Peter was at the door (v.14). They didn’t believe their prayer had been answered. Rhoda kept insisting that he was at the door (v.15), and Peter kept knocking. How astonished the believers were when they opened the door and saw him (v.16)! Let’s not forget that somebody prayed for us. So the next time we pray let’s believe that He is a prayer-answering God. Give Him glory!

 

Acts 12:12-17