JUNE 1, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

JUNE 1 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: ACTS 12

In Acts 12 there was a great prayer meeting. James and Peter were put in prison for preaching Jesus, James was killed and they had planned to kill Peter. The believers met in a home and began to pray. The Lord answered their prayer and Peter was miraculously set free from prison, he went to the home where they were praying, but when the girl looked to see who was there at the door and told the group it was Peter, they didn't believe. They were praying for his release, when the Lord granted their prayer, they still didn't believe. They were praying, which was good...but apparently praying with little to no expectation of an answer. How often do we do that when we pray?

There's an old sermon illustration I read about many years ago...not sure if it's true, but it makes the point. Oklahoma was in a severe drought, so the church decided to have prayer meeting and ask the Lord to send rain. On that Sunday afternoon the people started to gather to pray. When the church was full the Pastor got up to speak; he said something that startled the group. He said, "This meeting is over...we were to come here to ask God for rain...but I don't see one umbrella!" Today as you pray...pray with expectation and faith that God can and will answer your prayers. I'm not saying pray, telling God what He must do, but I am saying pray, believing God loves you and He will act in response to your prayers of faith.

Please share your thoughts.