Do I really believe?

I've been thinking a lot about prayer lately.


And God has been teaching me so much the last few days about Himself, His power, my incorrect and underestimated view of Him, and whether or not I can believe Him and take Him at His Word.

Do I really believe He is who He says He is?

Do I really believe He can do what He says He can do?

Do I really believe that ALL things work together for our good and His glory?

Do I really believe He can heal and restore unbearable and horrific situations?

I have a dear, dear friend who is currently going through a tragic and extremely difficult time in her life.

None of which is her fault.

Because of other people's dishonesty and many other's lack of support and help in the midst of their hardest time, she and her husband have faced great trials. Daily, I go to my knees in desperate prayer for her, and beg for God's strength, peace, and help in this very dark hour.

God has placed a great burden on me to surround her with prayer as well as build an army of prayer warriors to support her and her family. I thank God for this opportunity to serve her and cry out to Him on her behalf.

But I have been wrestling so much with WHY this is happening to her! She and her husband did NOTHING wrong! They were greatly misled, and are now suffering the consequences of another's wrong doing! And I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel for her! I just don't understand!

In the midst of this, I have been meeting with two friends every Thursday night to study God's Word through Beth Moore's Bible study, "Believing God." It has really rocked my view of who God is and what He can do. My faith as been strengthened as I've remembered the ways He has healed, restored, grown, or helped me. He really is BIGGER than I think He is!

And I know He is BIGGER than the situation my friend now faces.

But...I haven't seen a lot of change in my friend's situation, and I've been wondering if any of our prayers are really working...

I mean, I know they matter and that God hears...but...

Then, this morning...

Our pastor has been preaching through the book of Acts. It has been so good, and I've enjoyed it so much. Today we were in Acts 12. Luke, the author of Acts, shows great contrasts in this chapter. (And as an English teacher, I greatly enjoy this.) First we learn that James is killed by King Herod (v 2) and Peter is thrown in jail (v 3)...but then later, Peter is miraculously rescued (v 7-11).

James was martyred, and Peter was saved.

We also see that King Herod is a very powerful Roman leader and that the influence of the Jewish leaders is overwhelming. The small band of Christians seem so pathetic and pitiful next to the Roman government and the very influential Pharisees.

Herod and the Jewish leaders are incredibly powerful, but through God and the prayers of this very small church, Peter is freed and the Word of God continues to increase and spread (v 24).

Herod dies...actually is eaten by worms and dies slowly over five days, (v 23) and the church continues to grow despite persecution.

What contrast!

Even though the power of the world...the hostility of our culture, the authority of government, and the oppression of tyrants...seems so strong...

GOD IS STRONGER!!!

That little band of Christians "earnestly prayed" (v 5) for Peter...and probably for a lot of things. They sought out God's help first...instead of trying to figure something out using their human abilities. They were united and met together...probably very late at night (v 12). They were persistent. Peter was taken into custody during the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Herod was going to bring him to trial (and probably execute him) after the Passover...about 7 days later. They probably met and prayed most of that time. They were also desperate in their prayers. This was not a cute, little prayer service...

...this was agonizing and intensive...many pleads and cries were sent out to the Most High God.

And who did prevail?

Well...

Herod is killed...

Peter is rescued...

The Word of God spread...

Jesus said, "...I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18

So, what is my conclusion...

I CAN believe God and take Him at His Word!

I DO believe He is who He says He is!

I DO believe He can do what He says He can do!

I DO believe that ALL things work together for our good and His glory!

I DO believe He can heal and restore unbearable and horrific situations!

In spite of what I can (or cannot) see, I will continue to pray and I will continue to take God at His Word...

...because there IS no greater power.

"He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God." - Joshua 4:24

"...the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16