sur·prise - a completely unexpected occurrence, appearance, or statement (Dictionary.com Unabridged (v1.1)).Jesus said in Matthew 21:22, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Many times we enter into prayer "hoping" that our prayers will be answered or even worse, having a bit of spiritual skepticism.
In Acts 12:1-19, we find the story of Peter's imprisonment and escape. The circumstances were dire. James, the brother of John, had already been put to death and now Peter was imprisoned. Peter was guarded by 16 soldiers, and chained in his cell as he was awaiting trial. Scripture tells us that "the church was earnestly praying to God for him." The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective (James 5:16). God moves and a miracle occurs enabling Peter to escape. The event that follows is telling and is indicative of many in approach to prayer.
Peter goes to the house where "many people had gathered and were praying." The young girl that came to the door, hears Peter's voice, and is so excited that she doesn't even open the door. She rushes back to tell the others and … they don't believe telling her that she is "out of [her] mind." In the midst of their prayer, it's answered and they don't believe. This wasn't like "you're kidding", and then they get up and go to look. Even after the young girls insistence, the people don't believe and suggest that the girl is seeing an angel instead. When they finally open the door, scripture says they were "astonished."
astonished - filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock (Dictionary.com - WordNet).Backing up in the story, even as he was experiencing the answer to prayer, Peter thought he was dreaming. He wasn't sure it was real either.
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." While there is other scripture that provides qualifications on our prayers being answered (e.g., praying on our own motives or outside of God's will), if we are aligned with what God wills and plans, he will answer our prayer.
I struggle with this as well. I enter into prayer "hoping" my prayer is answered or worse, sometimes skeptical that it will be. I have to remind myself to imagine great things from God and to expect him to show up. Don't count on surprises in your prayers -- believe and expect great things from God.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
(Ephesians 3:20-21)
No comments:
Post a Comment