The church prays hard to free Peter from prison.
When the same Peter shows up at the door, they tell the girl who heard him knock she's lost her mind.
Acts 12:5–16 might be the funniest scene in the early church.
Herod has already put James to death. Now Peter sleeps in chains between two soldiers, right before his trial. The church is "fervently praying to God for him."
An angel wakes Peter. Miraculously, chains fall off and the gate opens.
He walks to the house where early Christians are gathered and praying. He knocks.
A servant named Rhoda recognizes Peter’s voice. She's so overjoyed she forgets to let him in. She runs inside and says “Peter’s back.”
“You must be out of your mind!” they tell her.
He’s there, and she insists. They say it must be his angel.
Meanwhile, Peter’s still waiting.
These were faithful people, praying for a friend in need. But they didn't expect God to say yes.
Can you relate?
We pray for healing, then plan for the worst. We pray for the prodigal son to come home, then stop looking out the window.
Low expectations seem safer. No expectations, no disappointment.
But God answered while they were still praying. The answer to their prayer knocked on their door. And they didn’t believe it.
What are you praying for that would shock you if God answered it today?