"But
the Angel said unto him, "Fear not Zacharias: for they prayer is heard;
and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name
John."
"And
Zacharias said unto the Angel, "Whereby shall I know this? For I am an
old man, and my wife well stricken in years."
"And
the Angel answering said unto him, "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence
of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings."
"And,
behold, thou shalt be dumb; and not able to speak, until the day that these
things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall
be fulfilled in their season."
Many
people pray not really expecting to receive an answer. When those prayers
are answered, they can’t believe and are totally astonished.
This
was the case with Zacharias. He had been praying and his prayer is now
answered. What was these prayers which he had been asking for? While all
Israel is expecting and praying for the Messiah to come, I believe Zacharias,
by Revelation, had seen something. I believe he saw Malachi: 3:1 "Behold,
I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the
Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger
of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD
of hosts."
I
believe if the Angel had told him (John) that his prayers were heard and
Mary, Elisabeth’s cousin was going to have this Son, this he could have
believed. The fact that he and his wife were to be the vessels by which
his prayers were to be answered, this he could not believe. He brings up
the one thing which seemed to stand in the way, which was their age. If
it had not been age, it would have been something else. We also use excuses
as to why our Lord can’t us. Look at Moses when our Lord appeared unto
him;
Exodus
4:10 "And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither
heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow
of speech, and of a slow tongue."
Also
look at Gideon when the Angel appeared unto him:
Judges
6:15 "And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel?
behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's
house." When our Lord desires to use us to answer our prayers, we almost
always begin to make excuses.
Have
you ever noticed how that those who pray for things are usually the ones
our Lord uses to answer those prayers? This was the case with Zacharias.
This has also been the case many times with me.
I
remember once when an Internet friend told me her husband was laid off
and they were in real financial trouble. I told her I would pray for our
God to bless them. Frankly, I saw no way I could help them. Yet, a few
nights later, our Lord spoke to my heart to do just that.
Many
times when we see a need and begin to pray, we do expect an answer. We
just don’t believe our Lord will bring the answer through us. This, I believe,
was the case with Zacharias.
Let
me say this: When we pray, let us expect our Lord to use us to bring forth
an answer.
We
will now look at another set of Scripture. Acts 12:1-16
12:1
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain
of the church.
2
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter
also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him
to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to
bring him forth to the people.
5
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing
of the church unto God for him.
6
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping
between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the
door kept the prison.
7
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in
the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying,
Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And
so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow
me.
9
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which
was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
10
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron
gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord:
and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the
angel departed from him.
11
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that
the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of
Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
12
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the
mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together
praying.
13
And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken,
named Rhoda.
14
And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness,
but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
15
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that
it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
16
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw
him, they were astonished.
Notice
again, verse 5: "Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made
without ceasing of the Church unto God for him."
Notice
who those people were who was doing this praying. These were, first of
all, "The Church", in other words, there were Holy Ghost filled people,
perhaps many who had even seen the Lord Himself.
There
people were praying FOR Peter. Yet, their actions, upon the release of
Peter, make me wonder HOW they were praying. Were they really praying for
Peter to be set free from prison. If so, they sure did not expect their
prayers to be answered. If they didn’t expect those prayers to be answered,
then why were they praying? Because of duty? That’s no reason to pray.
We should pray because there is a need which we desire.
As
I said, I wonder HOW they were praying for Peter. Were they praying for
Peter. Were they praying for our Lord to give Peter strength and courage
to face death? If so, where was the scripture where they could base their
faith on?
Many
times I have heard requests something like this: "Let’s pray that our Lord
guide the surgeon’s hand while he operates on so and so." While I find
many Scripture promises for healing the sick, I can find none for guiding
the surgeon’s hand.
Do
we really expect to receive from our Lord these things we ask for? If not,
why do we ask for them?
Do
we find ourselves like the father in the following Scriptures: Mark 9:14-27?
14
"And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them,
and the scribes questioning with them.
15
And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed,
and running to him saluted him.
16
And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
17
And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto
thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
18
And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth
with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they
should cast him out; and they could not.
19
He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be
with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
20
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit
tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21
And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And
he said, Of a child.
22
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy
him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to
him that believeth.
24
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears,
Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
25
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul
spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come
out of him, and enter no more into him.
26
And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was
as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27
But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose."
Notice
again Verse 24:
And
straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord,
I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
See,
this father had enough faith to come, but he also knew he still had unbelief.
If
you find yourself in this state, cry out with this father:
