will you answer?

“When he realized what had happened, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was also called Mark, where many [believers] were gathered together and were praying continually [and had been praying all night]. When he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she failed to open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gateway. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel!” But [meanwhile] Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were completely amazed.” Acts 12:12-16 AMP

This short story is a glimpse of what happens when we partner with God in prayer. As we believe He can do what we’re praying for, we will be blessed with an opportunity to experience His faithfulness in new ways. In this story, the answer to their prayers knocked on the door while the believers gathered to pray. Literally.

You can read the beginning of Acts 12 for a backdrop, but essentially Peter was in prison, and the church prayed for him earnestly [intensely]. While Peter was in prison, an angel came and freed him. Peter knew the believers were together praying for Him, so once he was released from prison, the first thing on his agenda was to show them what God had done. When Peter went to the place they gathered to pray and knocked on the door, a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door, but once she learned that it was Peter, she was full of joy and instead of opening the door, she ran to tell the others the great news.

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Rhoda except that she was a servant-girl, also referred to as a maid or housekeeper. But if we look closely, we can learn a few more details about Rhoda in this story.

1. She was alert. 

When Peter knocked on the door, Rhoda went to answer. Although it doesn’t say how long Peter knocked before she heard him, we know that she went to answer. This speaks of her attentiveness. Acts 12:13

2. She acted on what she heard. 

After recognizing it was Peter, Rhoda ran to announce to the others that their prayers had been answered. She believed what she heard, and her joy pushed her to action. Acts 12:14

3. She stood on what she believed. 
 
“They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel!” Even though they didn’t believe their prayers were answered, Rhoda’s faith strengthened her to stand firm in what she knew was true. Although she hadn’t opened the door to see Peter yet, she had faith in what she had heard. Acts 12:15

As we reflect on this story, I challenge you to ask yourself the following questions. Do you believe God for what you’re praying for? Do you know that God can answer your prayers while you’re still praying? What about when He answers your prayers differently than what you thought, will you still believe? Yes, even the hard prayers, the ones you dare not ask out loud...When the answer is a knock on the door…will you answer?

If you’re like me, these questions caused you to pause and ask yourself some follow-up questions. Partnering with God in prayer requires us to believe that He can and will answer us. We must also trust that even when the answer look different than what we expect, it's still good.

What are you believing God for? Feel free to comment below. We want to hear from you!

Be Blessed, Find Rest, & Share Goodness! ✨