Pray with Expectation
Acts of the Apostles 12:5-16
Have you ever been surprised by a prayer you prayed and the results you received? This passage in Acts reminds us that prayer often brings unexpected answers, sometimes far beyond what we can imagine.
The early church found itself in a desperate situation. Herod had arrested Peter, intending to execute him just as he had James, the brother of John. Yet, in the face of this threat, the church turned to fervent prayer. Despite their earnest prayers, they likely did not expect God to deliver Peter in such a miraculous way. When Rhoda announced Peter’s presence at the door, their disbelief reflected the limits of their expectation. But God’s power is not constrained by our human imagination. Everybody knew what was going to happen to Peter. Just like James, they expected Peter would be killed. That’s what they thought as they prayed for Peter, who was in prison.
But things changed while Peter was imprisoned. The Scriptures tell us that the angel of the Lord appeared and released Peter, though Peter himself couldn’t understand what was happening. The doors opened, the chains fell off, and the angel told Peter, “Put on your clothes and sandals and follow me.” Though afraid and confused, Peter obeyed.
As they passed through the prison, the iron gates opened by themselves. The angel led Peter out into the street, where they walked for some distance. Suddenly, the angel left him. It was only then that Peter came to himself and realized he was free. He understood that the Lord had sent the angel to rescue him from Herod’s clutches and from the fate the people had anticipated.
Now free, Peter didn’t know where to go at first. He remembered that the church had been gathering in prayer at a house nearby—the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark (not Mary, the mother of Jesus). Hoping to find them there, he made his way to the house and knocked at the door. Inside, the church was indeed praying. A servant girl named Rhoda went to answer the door.
When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that she ran back to tell the others—without opening the door! She exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” The others dismissed her, saying, “You are out of your mind.” When she insisted, they suggested it must be Peter’s angel. Meanwhile, Peter kept knocking. Finally, they opened the door, and to their astonishment, they found Peter standing there.
A God of Surprises
God often works in ways that exceed our expectations. Think about a time when you prayed for something—a job, a relationship, or healing—and received not only what you asked for but something even better. This is the nature of God: He blesses abundantly, beyond all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
In this story, Peter’s miraculous release demonstrates that God’s power is not limited by earthly chains or human authority. Even when the church prayed, they may not have dared to ask for such an outright miracle. Yet, God surprised them. It is not just the surprise of receiving what you prayed for, or not getting exactly what you expected. It is often more than you could have imagined—God gives abundantly. Jesus said that whoever believes in Him will do the works He has done and even greater works. This promise comes with the power of the Holy Spirit. Can you believe that?
In John 14:12, Jesus says, “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” Jesus Christ, now seated in heaven with the Father, grants us power and authority in this world. This promise extends to His disciples and to all who believe in Him. Through faith, we can lay hands on someone to heal them. We can even pray and raise people from the dead. These aren’t just words—Jesus conquered sin, death, and all the evil forces in this world. We, too, have access to this power.
We must pray with expectation. Not a limited expectation, but one that trusts God to do far more than we think or imagine. Psalm 23 reminds us of this truth when David proclaims, “My cup overflows.” God not only fills our cups; He makes them overflow with blessings. When God blesses us abundantly, it is not for us to keep these blessings to ourselves. Overflowing blessings are meant to be shared with others. There are people with empty cups around us, and God calls us to pour into their lives. Abundant blessings are opportunities to extend God’s grace and love to those in need.
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This abundant life is not meant to be hoarded but shared. When we live out this calling, we become channels of God’s overflowing goodness to others. As one preacher said, “A praying man on his knees is the tallest person in the crowd.” This imagery captures the essence of prayer. While the world may see someone kneeling in humility, God sees someone standing tall in faith. A person on their knees in earnest prayer wields immense power because God works through them.
When we pray honestly and fervently, God answers in His time and according to His will. The answers may not always come in the way we expect, but they come in the way God knows is best. This truth reminds us to surrender our will to God’s will and to trust His greater plan. Scripture assures us that God can do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). This promise should encourage us to keep praying, even in the face of uncertainty. Surprises await those who persist in prayer.
Consider the story of the prophet Elijah, as recounted in James 5. Elijah was a human being, just like us. Yet, when he prayed fervently that it would not rain, the heavens withheld rain for three and a half years. When he prayed again, rain fell, and the earth produced its crops. Elijah’s prayers show the extraordinary power of prayer when aligned with God’s will. The same power is available to us today. Let us pray not only for our needs but also for the needs of others. This intercession—standing in the gap for others—is a privilege and responsibility given to us as children of God.
Elijah, a man just like us, demonstrated the power of honest and fervent prayer. When he prayed for the rain to stop due to the evil in the land and its king, God answered, and the rain ceased for three and a half years. Then, when the people repented, Elijah prayed again, and the heavens poured rain, and the earth produced crops. This story, found in James 5, reminds us of the extraordinary power of prayer.
We, too, can pray for rain or for any other need, and God, in His abundant mercy, will answer according to His will. He can provide exceedingly and abundantly, filling our lives to overflowing. This is the promise we hold onto: that surprises await us when we pray with faith.
Prayer is not just a personal practice but a communal privilege. We are called not only to pray for ourselves but also to intercede on behalf of others. This is the essence of intercessory prayer—a sacred act where we bring others' needs before God. As children of God, we have the privilege and responsibility to be intercessors. Here's a thought about the word “prayers.” It represents both the act of praying and the people who pray. Just as someone who runs is called a runner, someone who prays is a 'pray-er'. We are all called to be 'pray-ers'. It’s not merely about offering prayers but embodying the action, living as 'pray-ers' in our daily lives.
Let us continue to pray earnestly, not just for ourselves but also for others. Trust that God will work wonderfully through our prayers, impacting not only our lives but the lives of those around us. Through prayer, we become instruments of God’s grace, bringing His blessings to a world in need.
We are not just people who say prayers; we are 'pray-ers'. Just as runners run, prayers pray. So let us continue to pray, trusting that God will do wonderful things in our lives and the lives of others.
Expect Beyond Limits
Sometimes, we pray with limited expectations. We might ask for strength to endure a trial, not realizing that God can completely remove the trial. The early Christians likely prayed for Peter’s courage in the face of death, yet God delivered him entirely. This reminds us to pray boldly, expecting God to move. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these” (John 14:12).
We must remember that God is a God of abundance. His blessings are not only sufficient but overflowing. As the Psalmist says, “My cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). When God fills our cup, it’s not just for us—it’s for others too.
The Overflowing Blessings of God
When God blesses us abundantly, it’s a reminder to share those blessings with others. If your cup is full and overflowing, it means there are others around you whose cups are empty. Your blessings are meant to fill their cups as well. Jesus came to give life and give it abundantly. When we receive His blessings, we are called to be conduits of His grace and mercy, pouring out His love to those in need.
Conclusion
The story of Peter’s miraculous release is a testament to the power of prayer and God’s ability to do far more than we can imagine. Let us pray with faith and expectation, knowing that God can and will surprise us. May we also remember that when God blesses us, it’s not just for us—it’s for the world around us. Let us be faithful in prayer and generous in sharing the overflowing blessings of God.
Amen.
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