RELIGIOUS PRAYING !

RELIGIOUS PRAYING !: There is such a thing as prayer just to be praying ! We might even call it religious praying. It is praying just because it seems like the thing to do--- not believing anything, just praying. Evidently, this was the case in (Acts 12). James had been killed and Harold proceeded to take Peter also. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him (v.5). You find that the whole church, a small group of people was prayed; but it must have been religious praying for, when the angel left Peter out, he went to the house of John Mark's mother where many were praying: "And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not gay for gladness, but remain in, and told how Peter stood before the gate (v.v.13-14). Up until now, everything seems to be rather normal, but listen to the confession of those who were praying: "And they said unto her, Thou art mad." But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, it is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door and saw him, they were astonished (v.v.15-16). RHODA'S FAITH !: Evidently Rhoda was the only one who agrees with what they were praying. They are saying surely was not in line with their praying, was it ? "Thou art mad. . . It is his angel." To them, Peter was already dead ! I wouldn't want people prayer for me like that ! The servant girl, Rhoda, was the only one in the whole house who believed the answer before it appeared, and everyone thought she had gone crazy. I am glad the Bible doesn't hide these things because it lets us know that they were human. They would only believe Rhoda's faith confession after they saw Peter. I really believe that Rhoda was the only one in that whole prayer group who had prayed in faith. Evidently, she had already prayed and was cleaning the house while everyone else was too busy being religious to open the door for Peter. The way they talked, I suspect that they were praying the problem. If it hadn't been for somebody praying and believing the answer, they would have prayed. Writing to his grave. Prayer alone does not bring deliverance. It is the prayer of faith that brings deliverance.