The Power of a Praying Person
The dynamics of all that is going on here are truly miraculous and supernatural. First, Cornelius (a gentile) is met by an angel who tells him that God has seen his generous giving and has heard his prayers. Not only that, but also that he was to send for a man named Peter, who would tell him what he must do next. Now, Peter had no idea that all of this was going on. The following day, which happened to include prayer at noon (super important fact, as it turns out), Peter receives a vision from the Lord which reveals to him Gods heart for all peoples (including Gentiles). God also tells Peter to go with the men who knock on his door, which happens moments later. Peter arrives at Cornelius' house, heart prepared by God thru prayer, and Peter finds himself in the midst of a Gentile revival! Miraculous indeed!
But, what I can't help but notice here is that although these men have no idea what is happening in the others life, God does, and He connects these men together for one of the most important moments in church history (esp for the gentile church), through prayer! Would this event have happened if either weren't praying? We dont know. Could God speak to them apart from prayer? God can do anything. And, thats not the point! But, what is clear (too clear to miss), is that it was as they prayed that God revealed His miraculous plan and prepared these men for what was to come.
Do I want guidance? Do I want for God to speak to me concerning His will and plan for my day? Do I want to play a part of His Kingdom coming to my world and the world of others today? And, do I need for God to prepare my heart for His Kingdom movement?
If so, then like these men, i must commit myself to more consistent times of prayer!
I am convinced that God moves powerfully when we pray! But, I am also convinced that there is a disconnect between that conviction and reality for me. The problem? The problem is not that I am not convinced about what God does when i pray. Rather, it is that I desire other things more than God and playing a greater role in His movement. That is reality and that is a problem, both with me and with the American church. And until I (we) desire God and His Kingdom more than tv shows, movies, time on the computer, phone apps, social networks, other people etc...we will not spend consistent time in prayer, and we will not take part in miraculous moves of God like we read of today! But wherever prayer is happening like it is in the book of Acts, then mighty/miraculous movements of God are happening for His glory and fame!
God help us! Forgive me for settling for lesser things that cheapen my life and may, in fact, hinder Your work from happening to a greater degree in and through me. Give me grace to change and become (like Peter), a man of prayer.
Created over 1 year ago
