Pastor's Corner

A young lady answering the knock at the door heard the voice of a prisoner she and others had been praying for on the outside of the door. Instead of opening the door she excitedly ran back to the prayer group and said, "Peter is at the door." Though they had been praying for his release, they said, "you are out of your mind!" Peter kept knocking until they finally opened the door. They saw him and were astonished" Acts. 12:12-16.

Peter went on to tell them the miracle of his prison release. Sadly, the prayer group's expectations hadn't risen to the measure of their prayers. When we pray, we should expect God to answer! Instead of labeling others out of their minds for rejoicing in answered prayer, we should expect wonderful answers. With the Lord walls are torn down, the lowly are lifted up, the impossible is accomplished, the guilty are freed from shame and condemnation, and the grieving are comforted. Prisoners are released.

In the midst of a drought, the Pastor called for a prayer meeting to ask for rain. On that cloudless day the elderly widow walked through the streets of her small home town on her way to the prayer meeting. She unashamedly walked under an open umbrella. Her expectations met her prayers. "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those that earnestly seek Him" Heb. 11:6.

Pastor Greg Brownell

Dayton United Brethren Church