Acts 12:15

New International Version (NIV)

“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

For meditation

“Just put in your CV and let’s see how it turns out. No harm in trying, is there?”

That sounds like lottery to me – a try your luck sort of. There is no confidence in that statement. No faith! Unfortunately that’s how many see prayer. They pray with no absolute trust in God’s response. Somewhere in their hearts, they do not believe that what they have prayed for would ever happen. They pray just to fulfill all righteousness.

Remember Zechariah and Elizabeth? They had prayed for a child all their lives, but God had denied them the pleasure. Now they are old and past child bearing age. Old priest Zechariah routinely enters the temple to burn incense – his ministry for the hour.

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John” (Lk. 1:13).

“How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” (18).

Did you hear that? The old priest has forgotten the story of his own father Abraham and Sarah. He had come to accept that time had passed for them and God could not release the answer to their prayers said in their fruitful years.

Is that you? Do you think God is limited by time? Do you doubt because your prayers have been said years ago? Can your age limit God?

Okay, that’s not your situation. You’re not that old; but how about this?

The believers have gathered to earnestly pray for Peter (Acts 12:5). He’s been arrested and kept in prison by King Herod. There is a knock “at the outside entrance” (13). Who could that be? Rhoda, the servant girl, answers the door. It’s Peter, the man they were praying for. Overjoyed, she runs back to the group

“Peter is at the door!”

“You’re out of your mind.”

That’s it. Did you hear them? They were praying for Peter’s release, but they couldn’t believe God could answer their prayers so quickly.

1. Now, is that your situation?
2. Why do you doubt that God can instantly answer your prayers?
3. Why then are you surprised?
4. Isn’t He the same Omnipotent God who answered Elijah by instant fire on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:38)?
5. So, what’s your problem?

I pray you realize that God is Sovereign and reserves the right to instantly answer your prayer or very late in time. Nothing limits Him – not age, time, magnitude of your problem, or even your lack of conviction. His will, purpose, and glory rule all the time.

As Jesus told Jairus when the report of his daughter’s death came to him: “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed” (Lk. 8:50).

Do you believe?

Shalom