“He (Peter) went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Acts 12:12-16
Heavenly Father, thank you for including this somewhat comical prayer meeting in the Scriptures. Even as it exposes our unbelief, it highlights your commitment to do exceedingly beyond all we can ask or imagine.
Too often, this scene represents the prayer meeting going on in my heart. I dutifully pray, but faithlessly doubt. Forgive me, and continue to override my unbelief, for I’d love to hear “Peter knocking at the door.”
Father, I pray for the persecuted church and for their leaders, and missionaries serving in challenging contexts around the world. Strengthen and encourage your servants, and grant miracles of provision and deliverance. Cause the gospel to spread like a redemptive wildfire and a healing plague. Give believers so much joy, peace and love that those who oppose them will be convicted, fall down and worship you.
Father, I pray for the courageous men and women laboring in the dark world of human trafficking, and the pornography industry. Bring justice to bear; deliver women and children from the evil of slavery, in every form. Protect the rescuers and provide good aftercare for those rescued.
Father, I pray for a fresh outpouring of your Spirit on our marriages, children, and churches. Make Jesus irresistibly beautiful again and the gospel palpably real; and may the aroma of your grace be the most obvious fragrance filling our hearts and emanating from our lives. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ exalted and powerful name.
