Rhoda

Rhoda TV sitcom, starring Valerie Harper, which ran for five seasons, from 1974 to 1978 airing in 109 episodes.

The show was a spin-off from The Mary Tyler Moore Show

She played Rhoda Morgenstern, between the years 1970 and 1974 As a spunky, weight-conscious, flamboyantly fashioned Jewish neighbor and native New Yorker in the role of Mary Richards' best friend. After four seasons, Rhoda left Minneapolis and returned to her original hometown of New York City

Meeting Prayer

Peter 12:11-12

Peter has been to two evening prayer meetings

• “Woman, I don’t know him,” - Lk 22:54-57.

• Women you don’t know – Ac 12:15

Prayer Needed

- Christians in Fellowship (v. 5 & 12)

- Speculate the time & duration of this prayer meeting

- If only the church would pray like the Acts 12 church

Luke 11:9-10

9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

10 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (NKJ)

• Asking = Petitioning,

• Seeking = Devotional

• Knocking = Intercession

Luke 11:5–8 (AV)

5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

Rhoda’s Prayer Meeting

• Knock, knock, knock.

• “Please save Peter. Please set Peter free.”

• Knock, knock, knock.

• “Oh, God, You know that Peter will be executed in the morning. Save him.”

• Knock, knock, knock.

- Peter knocked, and knocked, and knocked.

- People were so busy asking God to deliver Peter

- No one answered the door; but all were wondering who it was

- Those present, praying fervently that God would deliver Peter, - They did not really believe that God would do what they asked

- (It was easier to get out of prison than to get into this prayer meeting)

- v. 13 - "A damsel came to answer

— Rhoda, "rose," queen of flowers, pure and sweet;

— “Damsel” – Means a female slave

— Lowly duty answer the door, "house of Mary" (v. 12) ;

— Attitude of gladness at hearing Peter's voice

— Message prayer answered

— Simple faith affirms - v. 15

Doubts In Prayer (v. 15)

- Suspicious — Unbelief surrounds the whole verse

- Scorn — so strong that Rhoda was accused of being mad ;

- Skeptical — to explain appearance supernaturally.

- Surprise — Astonishment (v. 16)

- Doubt and despair turned to surprise and joy;

Prayer is bringing the kingdom of God into your situation.

Prayer is telling God you are the only one that can help

Prayer Is Always Answered

He grants the request, Sometimes he says no, Other times there is

Psalm 102:2 (AV)

2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.

Deliver

Moses at the red Sea – Ex 14:14-15

Hezekiah prayed for healing - 2 Ki 20:5

Delay

Abraham for a Son – Ge. 12:3-4, (10yr. later) 15:3-4,

17:15-17 Now 100

Christ to come to Lazarus - Jn 11:6

— To Grow our faith

Denial

David first son to be healed – 2 Sa 12:14

Paul prayed 3 times to have a thorn removed – 2 Co 12:7-9

Jesus asked for the cup of suffering to be removed – Lk 22:42

All prayer is for God to be glorified