“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him… And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” — Acts 12:1-19
Peter was placed in prison and “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (vs. 5). They loved Peter and they needed Peter. He was an example, a pillar of the church, and a blessing to the church. No wonder they prayed God would free him. Soon, God sends an angel to the prison to free Peter. He goes back to where “many were gathered together praying” (vs. 12) and knocks on the door. A young lady comes to answer and runs back inside telling everyone Peter was at the door. After not believing it was him, they finally answer and “they were astonished” (vs. 16). This is amazing.Not just because of the miracle God performed by getting him out, but because believers were praying specifically God would free Peter. And when God did, they were all “astonished.” They acted surprised, not believing God really did answer their prayers.
We have a promise in Matthew 7:7 that if we ask we will receive. James 4:2 tells us that we have not because we ask not. John 14:14 says that “If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.” This truth is repeated many times throughout the Word of God (John 14:13; 15:16; 16:23-24; I John 3:22; 5:14-15).
It is thrilling to know that when we ask, God answers. We may not always receive right away. We may not even receive what we want because God knows best. Yet God does answer. Almost every one of us could give testimony that this truth is not just theory, we have seen it at some point become a reality.
Allow me to share one of the many, many times that God has allowed me to see this truth become real in my life. My wife and I were planning to serve God in Argentina as missionaries. While we traveled in the US raising funds to go, we prayed that God would give us souls to be saved and laborers to surrender in Argentina. When we arrived to language school in Peru, we continued praying this prayer. When we arrived on the field of Argentina, we continued our prayer and asked that God would send us those we had been praying for. God began to send us people who were being saved, people who would lead ministries, men and women who would become pillars in the churches, and many other blessings. We were “astonished” at what God was doing. And we were reminded that our great God told us if we would ask, He would answer. God not only answers, but He blesses above and beyond what His children ask. God is good!