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Wisdom Prayer

People Believed?

People Believed?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who rejoice when hearing about God healing a man and bringing a woman back to life.

God used Peter to heal a man. Then God used him to bring a woman back to life.

We learn about the man in Acts 9:32-35 (ESV):

“Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.’ And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.”

According to the notes to the English Standard Version of the Bible, the name Tabitha is an Aramaic name that is translated as Dorcas in Greek. The name means gazelle. This woman’s story is found in Acts 9. People were mourning her loss when Peter arrived. Acts 9:40-42 tells the rest of the story:

“But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”

News spreads fast. Thank God for Peter’s ministry to those in need. Give thanks.

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Wisdom Prayer

Life in Jeopardy?

Life in Jeopardy?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who need a means of escape. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When Saul became a believer and started to defend Christ, his opponents decided to seek vengeance.

Luke describes what happened in Acts 9:23-25 (ESV):

“When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.”

Saul eluded capture. This incident is reminiscent of what happened in Joshua 2:15 when Rahab helped two spies flee Jericho by rope. In both cases, God provided a means of escape.

Pray for those believers who need to flee to safety.

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Wisdom Prayer

Used By God?

Used By God?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those whose lives are dramatically changed after encountering Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Paul experienced a complete turnaround. He went from persecuting the church to preaching Christ. It seems the more people challenged Saul, the more God used him to confound his opponents.

Luke tells how God used Saul in Acts 9:20-22 (ESV):

“And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?’ But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.”

The people knew of Saul’s reputation. When he became a believer and started to advocate for Jesus, some became angry.

Are you willing to defend the faith? George Duffield wrote the song,
“Stand up, stand up for Jesus Ye Soldiers of the Cross”:

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.”

Is it time for you to stand up for Jesus?

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Wisdom Prayer

Me? Help New Believers?

Me? Help New Believers?

I pray for wisdom for those God sends to help new believers.

Saul imprisoned believers and was there when Stephen was killed. As despicable as Saul was, God had a plan.

After Saul was blinded on the road to Damascus, Ananias, a man who was reluctant to deal with Saul because he knew his reputation, heard from the Lord.

We learn in Acts 9:15-19 (ESV):
“But the Lord said to him [Ananias], ‘Go, for he [Saul] is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”

Even though Ananias was reticent, he was available to be used by God. Tend to shy away from helping new believers? Be open. Be willing to be used by God.

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Wisdom Prayer

Saul Sees the Light?

Saul Sees the Light?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for brothers and sisters in Christ living under persecution. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Christianity is under attack in many parts of the world. Watch the news. Flash back two thousand years, and from the Book of Acts we learn that Saul of Tarsus was ruthless.

He witnessed Stephen’s stoning. Acts 9:1-2 (ESV) shows Saul’s intent:

“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

Saul had his agenda, yet Christ had another plan as Luke describes in Acts 9:3-7:

“Now as he [Saul] went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.”

Saul was brought to Damascus, and for three days he was blind and he did not eat or drink.

Pray for those who are suffering for Christ’s sake at the hands of people like Saul. Keep praying.

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Wisdom Prayer

Confronted by False Witnesses?

Confronted by False Witnesses?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are confronted by false witnesses. In Jesus’ name.

Stephen was one of the people selected to help make sure distributions to Hellenists widows were handled fairly. It says in Acts 6:5 (ESV) that Stephen was “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”

God blessed him, and Luke writing in Acts 6:8-9 reports,

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.”

This escalated. False witnesses testified to the council that Stephen was against Moses and God.

In his defense, Stephen began retracing the history of Abraham, to Joseph in Egypt, to Moses, and the prophets. Stephen then condemned the group for resisting the Holy Spirit, killing Jesus, and not keeping the law. They were so enraged, they ultimately stoned Stephen to death.

Have you been confronted by false witnesses? The above prayer is so you will have the wisdom to respond appropriately. God bless you.

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