Acts 12:16

Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

1. All Peter could do was keep knocking. While Peter is outside in the cold and is the very answer to their prayers, they are inside having a discussion with Rhoda about her sanity.

2. Finally, they opened the door. There is Peter. Rhoda was right.

3. They were astonished. Have you ever prayed for something, God answered your prayer, and you were shocked that it happened?

4. Was this a lack of faith? I do not think so. I believe their prayer was answered more quickly and in an unexpected way. Sometimes we not only pray for God to help us, but we figure out how God should accomplish His work. I don't believe these Christians lacked faith. I believe that, like Naaman, they had faith that God would answer their prayers. They were taken back by the way, the speed, and the suddenness of the answer to their prayer.

5. God does not always do things the way we would have done them, if we had His power. Remember Naaman? He had it all figured out how God would heal him.

6. Did you hear about the town suffering a long drought, decided to pray for rain. They gathered together for this prayer for rain - but only one young girl brought her umbrella.

7. While most of us believe God will hear and answer our prayers - we are often amazed at the manner or speed with which they are answered.