by Pastor Rich Carlson

I wonder what those early church members in Jerusalem had been asking about in their prayers when God freed their friend Peter from prison? If they were praying for his release, and they had faith the size of a mustard seed, why were they “astonished” when he came to their door a free man?

I believe in prayer, but I still sometimes think I don’t know how to do it right. Should I pray with an almost arrogant assurance, and just expect God to answer the way I want? Or should I pray with humility and hope He will hear and answer? Should I pray for what I want and then add “Thy will be done”? Should I not really ask for anything, but rather just spend time talking with God about life as I am seeing it, and connecting with Him?

I was wondering this morning if the members of that early church were praying for Peter’s release and if so, why were they shocked when their prayer was answered? It’s not a question we can answer because the text just doesn’t tell us. But this did cause me to wonder again about prayer—not about its validity, but about its function and about how to do it so we’re not left confused or discouraged.

I have found prayer to be such a rich and blessed connection in my faith journey with God, but I do not wish to abuse the privilege of prayer—thinking I know what is best, for whom, when, and to what degree. God’s ways are way above my ways and His thoughts above my thoughts.

I like being amazed and astonished by God. My questions are not about if God responds and works out His will, but rather about how he continually works out His will. Sometimes His response is supernatural, and I can be as astonished as the people in Rhoda’s house who were praying for Peter. Sometimes it’s natural, and I can be amazed at the way God works in the lives of other people around me. Sometimes His answer is visible and sometimes invisible—sometimes tangible and sometimes not. Sometimes it’s evident and sometimes not. No matter what else it is, it is always true and real. God is still in the business of working out His will, His way, in His time, as He knows best. All I want to do in prayer is stay connected to God so I can be as aware as my human mind and heart can be.

Prayer, for me, is maintaining that connection and that confidence.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.