IN Acts 12 we read about Peter's incarceration by Herod. While Peter was in prison, the body of believers prayed ceaselessly for him. Soon enough, God sent one of his angels to release him from Herod's chains. Out of prison, Peter rushed to the house of Mary the mother of John, where many had assembled to pray. One of their prayer points would still have been Peter's welfare because word of his release had not got out yet. When a girl called Rhoda reached the gate to see who was at the door, she recognised Peter's voice and rushed in to share the news. But the congregation's reaction was one of disbelief. "And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel." (Acts 12:15).

The same congregation that prayed for Peter's welfare and release from jail found it hard to believe that God had actually heard its prayers. Often, most of us are like this: We pray alright but do not seem to believe that we have a God who answers our prayers. Most of us have trouble believing the adage: 'Prayer is victory.' In times of trouble, we pray without expecting a change in the circumstances. Why do we have trouble believing that our God is all powerful? One reason could be we hardly know Him.

Psalm 145:18 says 'The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him, in truth.' What a blessed assurance! But look at the qualifier at the end of the verse. The Lord is nigh upon all that call upon Him in truth. Oftentimes, our prayers are not answered because we don't call upon Him in truth. Our prayers lack conviction and faith. A believer said: 'Prayer should be our first response, not the last resort.' I know a man of God who goes down on his knees at the slightest hint of trouble in his life. And almost always, he has come up tops.

The Bible clearly demonstrates how we ought to pray. If you read 2 Chronicles 7:14, you'd understand what I'm talking about. While praying and seeking His face, our God expects us to humble ourselves. He is mindful of the prayers of a poor and contrite spirit. Haughty and arrogant people have no place in His Kingdom. There's no way self-will and His will can co-exist. If you want God to answer your prayer, shun evil and turn to Him. (Read I Peter 3:12).

A third point in prayer is explained in I John 5:14-15. "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us." I cannot explain this any better. It's that simple and direct. Are we asking according to His will? Perhaps. But how do we know what's His will? How do we claim His promises according to His will? Jeremiah 29:11 has the answer: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." There may be storms and tempests, but above all this He desires peace in our lives.  If you will acknowledge His supremacy over others and other things in your life and resolve to walk with Him, He will make sure you are not ashamed by people or circumstances. Then you will realise prayer indeed is victory.

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