Really

Pete Kersker - Jun 24, 2026

Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen" (Acts 12:11 NIV).

Simon Peter found himself in a very unsafe situation. He was thrown in jail by the same ruler who just put his friend, James, to death. Peter drew near to God, though, and his Father in heaven sent him an angel to break him out of prison. Peter was safe with God.

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 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!" (Acts 12:12-14 NIV).

Peter went to his friends, who had been praying for his safety. He wanted to let them know that he was out of prison and safe. They drew near to God in prayer, but they didn't believe that God answered their prayers.

"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 12:15-16 NIV).

Sometimes we draw near to God in prayer for our friends or family, but we don't really believe God's going to act (James 1:6-8). Sometimes we are in Peter's situation, knowing that our Father has answered our prayer but having trouble convincing others that He did. Whatever your situation, remember to stay close to God.

You can talk to God about anything in prayer. Just be ready. God might really do something about it.

Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this," he said, and then he left for another place (Acts 12:17 NIV).

Do you pray about difficult situations that you face? Does God do something about it?
Do you see what God is doing? Do you tell others?