“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”
I have always found this verse amusing, maybe in part because I identify with it. James had been executed, and Peter was in prison, awaiting execution as well. And the church was praying for him. And it was not just a quick prayer. They were described as being in intense prayer (Acts 12:5). Picture this as an all-night prayer meeting.
While they were praying, an angel busted Peter out of jail. And once he realized that it was not a dream, Peter headed toward Mary’s house, apparently one of the gathering places for the early church. And one of the places where the church was praying for him.
But when Peter got to Mary’s house and knocked on the door, the gal that answered was so excited that she forgot to let him in. Instead, she interrupted the prayer meeting with the good news that their prayer had been answered. Peter was at the door.
The prayer group had a hard time believing that Peter was at the door. Even though something similar had happened a few years prior (Acts 5:17-20). It was only when Peter kept up his knocking that they finally let him in. And then they got excited.
How many times am I surprised when God answers my prayers? But why should I be? Didn’t He promise that if I asked appropriately, He would respond? I should never be surprised that God answers my prayer. I may be surprised by how He answers. But I should expect that He will.
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