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August 23 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. And they said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. And they kept saying, “It is his angel.” But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door they saw him and were amazed. Acts 12:5,15,16. Is there a difference between fervent prayer and believing prayer? The Lord must think so, otherwise this story would not be revealed in this manner. Peter had been arrested and put into jail. The church was praying for him fervently. What must have been going through their mind during these prayers? I must admit I have ‘been there’. While praying do we sometimes allow doubt to creep in? Do we allow ourselves to think that God will not really grant our prayer—no matter how fervent we are? It is a mark of our frailty before God when we do this. But He still loves us and goes on listening to us. Had the church been in believing prayer, they would not have doubted the outcome. I am so pleased that God answered their prayer anyway—He was not demanding perfect, complete belief in the granting of their prayer. It is the same with us. He is more interested in our heart condition and whom we choose for the object of our faith and prayer. Yes, we are to trust Jesus for the wisdom, the timing, and the final fulfillment of our request. The above passages reveal that prayer comes from ‘earthen vessels’ that are not divine—but they are a work in progress that will be shown the glory of God in stages of development. Can we doubt that the church surrounding Peter was changed in a miraculous way by this release of Peter? They must have been inspired in a new, exciting way after this event. Father, I count on You to examine my prayer life. Am I being open and honest with You during prayer? Am I allowing You to speak to me, or do I rattle on and on without giving You any opportunity? Am I fervent as well as believing? I ask that Jesus intervene in my prayer so that He can reshape and re-direct my prayer in accordance with Your will. Let me pray for others in a manner that reveals the heart of a servant. I give all praise to You. Amen.
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