From Pastor Theilen
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” (Acts 12:5)
Immediately after this verse we learn that Peter is miraculously rescued from prison by an angel of God. The people of God prayed, and God answered their prayers. What is more, it seems that the people actually expected God to hear their prayer and respond. That is why their prayer is “earnest”.
How often do we pray half-heartedly? Of course we ask God for what we want, but we do not expect Him to respond. But He does.
The church prayed for Peter and expected God to take action, because they knew who God is and what Jesus Christ had done to connect them to God. Because of the sacrifice of the Son of God, we are each counted as sons of God.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11)
God is your Father. Not only does He hear your prayers and want to answer, He actually promises to answer.
Of course, God is not a cosmic vending machine. He does not simply dispense whatever we ask for. He does something far better. He gives what we need. He sends us what will lead us into life everlasting rather than away from it.
So pray, and pray earnestly. Expect that God will hear, that He will answer, that He will give all that is truly good for you.
In Christ,
Joshua Theilen
Assistant Pastor
Good Shepherd, Sherman