READ: ISAIAH 30:15-18; MATTHEW 12:15-21; ROMANS 10:9-13

I was struggling and needed advice. I thought my camp counselor from summer youth group camp might be the person to ask. So I wrote to the counselor, who I’ll call Libby, and explained my dilemma.

Years before, I had put my faith in Jesus for forgiveness, trusting Him to pay the price for my sins and make me pure before God. I believed Jesus had paid for the punishment I deserved. I believed He had risen from the dead. But I just couldn’t trust I had “done it right.” Did I ask Jesus in the right way to forgive me and lead my life? When I asked Jesus to wipe away my guilt before God, did I ask correctly? I felt I couldn’t be sure.

Here was Libby’s answer: Write it in a book. She suggested I pray and ask Jesus once more to rescue me from my sins and make me God’s child. I had done this already—several times. But I took Libby’s advice, told God again that I wanted Jesus to be my Savior, and wrote the date in a notebook. It didn’t help! I still anxiously wondered—Did I do it right?

Libby intended to guide me. However, what I’ve learned since then has brou...

READ: ACTS 12:1-17

Weeping believers gathered at the house of Mary, Mark’s mother. Only a few days ago, their beloved pastor had been martyred. And now, another of their pastors, Peter, had been arrested too. As Nicolas stood up, a hush fell over the group. “Brothers and sisters, shouldn’t we be praying for deliverance and boldness for Peter?”

“But we prayed for James, and he was killed,” a discouraged voice protested, “Why should we expect anything different this time?”

Kindly but resolutely Nicolas spoke again. “Don’t you remember how the Lord told us to never give up praying, even if we grow discouraged by the answers or how long it takes to get them? Just because God allowed Herod to kill James, that doesn’t mean He won’t save Peter this time. Let’s pray and see what He’ll do.”

With renewed hope, the believers began praying, wondering how God might intervene in such an impossible situation. There wasn’t a break in the praying. Some had to leave for work but returned in the evening. While they were gone, others stopped by. Those who couldn’t sleep came to pray through the night.

But, despite the innumerable prayers and tears offered during those long days, when they reached the night before the scheduled execution, nothing had changed. Long into the night, the believers were still desperately asking God to rescue their pastor. Nobody else paid attention when Rhoda got up to let another believer in to join their vigil. Then suddenly, she ran into the room laughing and crying. They could hardly understand her news: “Peter is at the door!”

Surely not. She must be imagining things. But when the hubbub died down, the knocking continued. Finally, someone opened the door. There stood Peter—free, without having denied the Lord! It was a miracle! The believers rejoiced that God had answered their prayers with a resounding yes! • Christina Joy Hommes

• Today’s story is how one author imagines Acts 12:1-17. God hears all of our prayers, and He answers according to His great wisdom and love. Can you think of a time God said yes to one of your prayers? What happened? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this!

• Even when God’s answer is no, He hears us and He cares. How can this encourage us to keep praying? (If you want to dig deeper, read Luke 18:1-8; Romans 8:28-39; 1 Peter 5:7.)

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12:5 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; 14:25-31

I don’t want to doubt, But sometimes the questions, They’re stronger than I want them to be. I don’t want to ignore, The many works, the many ways, You’ve proven yourself already. I want to be strong, But sometimes it’s all too heavy, I feel like I’m carrying a great load on my own. I don’t want to doubt, But sometimes I feel like Peter on the water, And everything I face is more than I can handle. God, take my doubt, Turn it into faith, Let me believe that you will act. God, take my doubt, Even when I struggle, when life is hard, Let me see you. God, take my doubt, When I’m held by you, strengthened by you, I know that I’ll be okay. • Emily Acker

• Like Jesus reached out to save Peter when he was sinking beneath the waves, Jesus reaches out for us (Matthew 14:31). He came to rescue us from sin and death by dying for us and rising again. Can you think of a time you felt overwhelmed, and Jesus helped you? What was that like?

• Throughout our lives, we will all have doubts related to our faith. Thankfully, whether we’re doubting because we’re going through something difficult or we simply have questions, God invites us to open ourselves up to Him and tell Him all about what we’re thinking and feeling. It can be so freeing to be honest with Him. He is never surprised or dismayed, and His love for us remains strong and sure. Consider taking some time to talk to Him now.

Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NIV)