There is an older gentleman that goes to my church that has been such a blessing and encouragement to my pastor-husband and I. Every Sunday that he is able to be at church, he always takes my husband by the hand and prays that God will speak through him as he preaches and that God will be glorified through all that is said and done during the worship service.
He's not just an encouragement with his faithful prayers and words of affirmation, but he is such a delight to sit back and observe during the service. He literally sits on the edge of his seat taking in every word that is spoken. He's leaned in with expectancy so he doesn't miss a single thing and it's such an encouragement to my husband, as well as a spark of joy to those of us around him.
Between the prayers that he offers up and the way he absorbs the message that is presented, he just exudes a spirit of expectancy. Oh, I wish that we all possessed that same spirit! I wish that we prayed with expectancy, worshipped with expectancy, and lived each day of our lives with great expectations.
Are you familiar with the story in the book of Acts whenever Peter was imprisoned for his faith? King Herod was finding pleasure in persecuting the fairly young church and it was seen very clearly in the beheading of James, the son of Zebedee. Peter's imprisonment had the church worried that his fate would be like that of James'. Scripture tells us:
Their prayers might have been heartfelt and earnest, but their prayers were missing a very important component. As the rest of the story unfolds, we see that their prayers were missing a spirit of expectancy.
You see, God did what only God can do. He sent an angel to Peter's heavily guarded prison cell and this angel managed to lead him right out of the doors of the prison. Shackles fell off, prison bars were opened, city gates miraculously became passable, and Peter found himself a free man again! Where else was he to go but to the home where the church had gathered to pray for him?
When Peter knocked at the door and made himself known to the servant of the house, she excitedly ran back to tell the others without even thinking to let Peter in the house! As young Rhoda joyfully exclaimed that Peter was at the door, the replies she received came from people who had forgotten to pray with expectancy.
"You're out of your mind." (Acts 12:15a)
"It must be his angel." (Acts 12:15b)
Those statements don't sound like something you'd hear coming from a group of Christians who were making intercession on behalf of their brother in Christ, believing that God could and would answer their prayers!
Peter was eventually welcomed into the home and they were able to see with their own eyes that what they had prayed for had actually come to fruition. Peter was able to share with his fellow believers about the miracle he had just been a part of. Although it's not recorded in Scripture, I'm quite sure he made a point to thank his friends for their fervent and earnest prayers on his behalf. I'm also quite sure that they didn't reveal their hesitancy to believe that Peter was actually free and standing at the front door!
I would shudder to know exactly how many prayers I have lifted up that were missing the key element of expectancy. Essentially, whenever we pray without expectancy, we're praying with doubt. We either doubt that God can or that He will answer our prayers.
Whatever names or circumstances are on your personal prayer list right now, take some time to pray for them with a new approach. Pray with expectancy. Trust that the God who hears every prayer that is uttered will answer them according to His perfect will. Then, don't be surprised when He shows up and gives you just one more thing to thank Him for!
He's not just an encouragement with his faithful prayers and words of affirmation, but he is such a delight to sit back and observe during the service. He literally sits on the edge of his seat taking in every word that is spoken. He's leaned in with expectancy so he doesn't miss a single thing and it's such an encouragement to my husband, as well as a spark of joy to those of us around him.
Between the prayers that he offers up and the way he absorbs the message that is presented, he just exudes a spirit of expectancy. Oh, I wish that we all possessed that same spirit! I wish that we prayed with expectancy, worshipped with expectancy, and lived each day of our lives with great expectations.
Are you familiar with the story in the book of Acts whenever Peter was imprisoned for his faith? King Herod was finding pleasure in persecuting the fairly young church and it was seen very clearly in the beheading of James, the son of Zebedee. Peter's imprisonment had the church worried that his fate would be like that of James'. Scripture tells us:
"the church was earnestly praying to God for him." Acts 12:5b
Their prayers might have been heartfelt and earnest, but their prayers were missing a very important component. As the rest of the story unfolds, we see that their prayers were missing a spirit of expectancy.
You see, God did what only God can do. He sent an angel to Peter's heavily guarded prison cell and this angel managed to lead him right out of the doors of the prison. Shackles fell off, prison bars were opened, city gates miraculously became passable, and Peter found himself a free man again! Where else was he to go but to the home where the church had gathered to pray for him?
When Peter knocked at the door and made himself known to the servant of the house, she excitedly ran back to tell the others without even thinking to let Peter in the house! As young Rhoda joyfully exclaimed that Peter was at the door, the replies she received came from people who had forgotten to pray with expectancy.
"You're out of your mind." (Acts 12:15a)
"It must be his angel." (Acts 12:15b)
Those statements don't sound like something you'd hear coming from a group of Christians who were making intercession on behalf of their brother in Christ, believing that God could and would answer their prayers!
Peter was eventually welcomed into the home and they were able to see with their own eyes that what they had prayed for had actually come to fruition. Peter was able to share with his fellow believers about the miracle he had just been a part of. Although it's not recorded in Scripture, I'm quite sure he made a point to thank his friends for their fervent and earnest prayers on his behalf. I'm also quite sure that they didn't reveal their hesitancy to believe that Peter was actually free and standing at the front door!
I would shudder to know exactly how many prayers I have lifted up that were missing the key element of expectancy. Essentially, whenever we pray without expectancy, we're praying with doubt. We either doubt that God can or that He will answer our prayers.
- Are your prayers reminiscent of the group of believers, or of young Rhoda?
- Are you ever surprised when God actually does answer your prayers?
- Is your level of expectancy related to the size of your faith in God?
Whatever names or circumstances are on your personal prayer list right now, take some time to pray for them with a new approach. Pray with expectancy. Trust that the God who hears every prayer that is uttered will answer them according to His perfect will. Then, don't be surprised when He shows up and gives you just one more thing to thank Him for!
Guilty...again.....the whole unworthy feelings creep in my prayer request.....not a doubt that God will hear or answer.... but His will is not the same as mine......
ReplyDeleteWe all are unworthy of having our prayers heard by such an Almighty God. Thankfully, that same God wants the best for His children . . . and His will is always the best. I've learned that lesson through much pain and hurt! In the end, I can always look back and see why His way was far better than mine! Hang in there . . . we're all on this journey together.
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