Unanswered prayer
As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: ... But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 2:23-24, 28-30 When praying asking God for His will is to submit oneself to whatever answer He provides. The purpose of prayer is not to convince Him to give you what you ask by changing the circumstances you are in. He wants you to be prepared to respond in obedience even after you have prayed and your circumstances did not change. God wants you to be prepared when He answers your prayers and to align your life to His will so He could demonstrate through you His power. From the text, after Peter and John were released from prison because of their persistence in preaching the gospel, the message of salvation, they returned to their brothers and sisters in the Lord and spent time in prayer. In one accord, the believers together with Peter and John raised their voices to God in prayer. Notice the content of their prayer. In their prayer they expressed that they will be found by God to be faithful in bringing the gospel. That even in the midst of the threat of being imprisoned and persecuted, they will remain steadfast. They did not ask God to change their circumstances but instead they asked Him to help them be ready for the opportunities God will open up for them to share His word to others. This is not the first time that they prayed this way. When God told them to pray while waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, they obeyed. Prayer brought them to a place where they became ready to receive the Holy Spirit and to participate to what God is already doing in the life of the people that needs to hear the gospel. The purpose of prayer then is for us to learn how to adjust our life following His will. When your prayers are unanswered, it might be that they needed to be aligned with God’s purposes. Always be mindful that when you came to know Him as your Lord and Savior, your concern now is what God wants to happen in you and through you. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
Blessings,
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