The Stumbling Block

Good morning, my friend!  Good morning, Father!  

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him...Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” - Acts 12:5, 13-16 

Father, this is so like us.  We pray and hope, but when You answer we struggle to believe it, even when we see it with our eyes.  It is a strange place that we find ourselves, with enough faith to pray, but not enough to believe You will answer.  After the woman who was healed of the issue of blood reached out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, Jesus said, “Daughter, your FAITH has healed you. Go in peace." - Luke 8:48.  I wonder how many times our lack of faith has been a stumbling block to what You intended to do.  How can we believe You for miraculous answers when we stumble over the mundane ones?  “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” - Mark 9:24.


Lord, I lift my friend.  I ask that You blow on the embers of their faith.  Exchange their half-hearted, timid prayers for ones that are full of faith and trusting in Your goodness and power.  Lord, You are sovereign and know what is best, but I ask that their faith-filled prayers would be met with a glorious answer.  Help them to not only answer the door at Your first knock, but that they would even now be looking out the window in hopeful expectation.  On opening the door, bless them to find a beautiful gift that no one else can give or take away.  You call us to pray, becauseg You intend to answer.  Increase their faith to ask, believe and receive.  Thank You in advance for answering, Lord!  We praise You for Your goodness, and miraculous power!  In Jesus Name!  ❤️

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