Listen to this devotion
I pray — but only God can make it happen!
In the Word
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31).
Of the Word
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors few open, and everybody’s chains came loose (Acts 16:25–26).
Can you imagine the reactions of the other prisoners when the chains fell off and the doors flew open? Shock, elation, puzzlement would be a few — but Paul and Silas had a different response. They didn’t move. They had prayed boldly, and they knew God would handle the situation. It wasn’t their place to break the chains and run for it. They had done all that was necessary by praying boldly. Now they awaited God’s magnificent answer and continued their work of telling others of Christ’s love.
Why does an answered prayer surprise us? God does answer prayer! That shouldn’t surprise us. Rather, it should give us courage to continue to pray boldly.
Walking with my Lord
Lord, You are a faithful God. What You promise You deliver. Make us bold to bring before You our petitions, thanksgivings and pleadings. Then help us to listen to Your will and direction for our lives. In Your holy name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003-2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 20/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
