Category: Daily Prayer

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
Acts 9:26-27

When Saul came back to Jerusalem he went to meet with the followers of Jesus, who were understandably worried. After all, this was the fiery persecutor who had gone to Damascus to arrest others who believed in Jesus. Why would they think Saul had changed? Some who had seen the transformation he had experienced spoke up for him and he was eventually accepted.

Do we sometimes have trouble believing people have changed? When we have known others to behave in unchristian ways, it is sometimes hard to accept that they changed. We need to treat them with acceptance and share God’s love. We also need to realize that they may stumble (as we all do!), that no one becomes perfect overnight, and offer the forgiveness God promises to all who repent.

As Saul returned, some were welcoming, some were wary, and some opposed his new belief. When you first gave your life to Christ there were likely some who reacted in all these ways. Remember how you felt in each case, and ask God to help you welcome and accept new believers, to be supportive and understanding.

Loving Lord, we know You work in marvelous ways to change hearts and minds. Show us how we can love and mentor new believers, nurturing their faith and growing in our own, as we follow the Great Commission to make disciples of all the world. Amen.

At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
Acts 9:20-22

It is said that converts are the strongest advocates for the faith because they have most recently and sometimes vividly been changed. That is certainly the case for Saul/Paul, who becomes as zealous for Christ as he formerly was a persecutor of Christians.

What if you are not a recent convert and don’t remember having a dramatic conversion experience? Is your faith any less active or real to you and those around you? It shouldn’t be! Those who have had a relationship with God since they can remember should rejoice all the more. Our connection to Him is personal and unique to each of us. No one should compare their walk with God or how they came to faith, but share the fact with thanksgiving that He has called them.

Just as we are all different and differently gifted, all are called in different ways, some dramatically and some through normal daily life. It not how we are called that is important, only that we answer the call, in joyful obedience for what He has done for us.

Gracious God, bless us to be active servants, sharing the joy of our relationship with all our brothers and sisters. May we be the bearers of Good News to all the world. Amen.

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Acts 9:17-19

Saul is healed by God’s love shared through a faithful disciple who was originally resistant and afraid to minister to him. God blessed the giver and the receiver in this action, something we often overlook when we are called to act in God’s name. You’re not just sent to give to others, but to learn and grow, to be changed by the interaction.

We’re not all chosen for missions in far away places or dangerous, world changing ministry as Paul was, but we are all called in the Lord’s service – to be His hands, feet, heart and voice to a hurting world. God will bless others through you, but you too will be blessed by your obedience to His will and Your work to make His name known in the world.

Ask God what task He has for you today, what good you can do for someone who needs His love. Know that you are part of His plan for creation and for bringing all our brothers and sisters back to Him.

Wise and wonderful God, we are amazed by the way our work for You blesses us as well as others. May our efforts reflect Your love to all we encounter today. Amen.

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Acts 9:13-16

God calls Ananias to go to Saul, but as even good servants sometimes do, Ananias resists. He tries to tell God about Saul, how wretched and dangerous he is! Do we really think we can tell God anything He doesn’t know? “But Lord, this person is evil, surely You can’t use this one for Your work!” How dare we make decisions for God!

The question is posed “why does God use imperfect people?” and the sad answer is “because we’re all He has!” We all have issues we are sorry for, times we have spoken or acted in ways that don’t reflect God’s love, but He calls us back to Him and sends us to serve just the same. We have no right or authority to judge those God chooses.

Can you relate to Ananias, being called to go bless a sinner? Can you identify with Saul, being called from your sin? We are all part of both sides of this, sinners called to minister to other sinners through God’s grace given to us!

Loving Lord, we often resist the plan You have for us and others because it doesn’t “fit” with our plan. Help us to be more obedient, accepting Your will in place of our own, knowing that You love and want the best for all Your children. Amen.

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. Acts 9:7-9

Saul had a life-changing experience on his way to Damascus. Those around him knew something had happened to him, but they weren’t sure what it was. Saul was so affected by this encounter he couldn’t see and for three days he didn’t eat or drink.

Most of us don’t have such a dramatic exchange with the risen Christ, but it still happens today. We hear the testimony of those who have been profoundly affected by Jesus presence and healing, and we sometimes shake our heads – why doesn’t He appear to me like that? God knows our needs and how they are different than our wants.

I think it would be wonderful to have Jesus show up for coffee in the morning, to listen to my joys and concerns, to reassure me and cheer me – and while I may not see Him or offer Him a cup, I know He does show up, every morning and always, to be with me for what I need, not necessarily what I want. While I may long for the “Saul experience”, He knows what is lacking in my life and how to best provide for me.

Gracious God, we pray “Thy will be done”, but we still want our own way too often. Help us to understand the unique love You have for us and the special relationship we share, unlike any other. Make us strong to do Your work, and may we be obedient to the call You make on our lives. Amen.

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:3-6

The account of Saul’s experience on the Damascus Road is one of the greatest conversion stories of the Bible. Here is a man on his way to stamp out this new sect that follows Jesus, believing it to be a threat to his religious heritage. He is completely changed by his encounter with Christ, and becomes one of the most prolific evangelists of his time.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could have such a conversation with Jesus? Well, maybe not the blinding, and perhaps not getting sent to every settlement all over, often beaten, sometimes imprisoned. Saul who became known as Paul suffered much for Christ and His ministry after his conversion. Are we ready and willing to do as much if asked?

We often want the experience without the responsibility that goes with it, but Jesus doesn’t work that way. If we call Him Lord and claim to be His followers, we must be ready to do what we are asked and endure the opposition that will surely come from earthly powers.

Lord of all, we are weak and self focused. We want the benefits without the work. Help us to see that Your call on our lives will not be easy, but by turning from evil and returning to You, we can be saved, and be part of Your work in eternity. Amen.

In John 20:19-31 we hear of Jesus appearing to the disciples following His resurrection. This gospel account teaches many things in a fairly short passage: Jesus has been raised and has a mission for His disciples (“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21) and that Christ’s sacrifice is for everyone’s salvation (But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31).

This passage also illustrates the difficulty some will have in believing in Jesus without having seen him, using Thomas as the example. It may sound like Jesus is reprimanding Thomas when He says “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29), but He is telling the disciples (and us) how it will be from then on – He will be returning to the Father, and it will be up to us to make Jesus real to all our brothers and sisters without them seeing Him.

Jesus calls each one of us to believe without seeing, having faith that God loves us and was willing to sacrifice Himself to save us. We are now part of building the kingdom, not because we deserve it or have any power of our own, but because we are His beloved children.

Heavenly Father, we are ashamed by our lack of faith, and humbled by what You have done in order to save us. Make us whole again, energetic bearers of the Good News to all the world. Amen.

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:26-27

Poor Doubting Thomas, we always remember his reluctance to believe that Christ had been raised. Do we remember his brave statement of faith earlier in the gospel when he said “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” ( John 11:16) Could the same be said of us? Are we vacillating in our belief, alternately faithful and failing?

Of course we are all like Thomas, we are imperfect because of sin, and our faith sometimes needs a boost. That’s what Jesus came to do, to teach us to be more confident of God’s love and forgiveness. It’s available to everyone who confesses and repents, and the Lord is ready to receive each one of us as His returning children.

Like Thomas, it is sometimes difficult for us to believe in the marvelous gift we have been given. Our human minds have trouble grasping a love so deep that He would be willing to give Himself for us. We can always trust the promise Jesus made, that if we “stop doubting and believe” we can be saved!

Gracious God, we are often weak and it is difficult for us to accept the wonder of Your love for us. Help us to be strong in the truth of Christ, believing the promise of the resurrection and eternal life with You. Amen.

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31

John tells us there were more things Jesus did that are not recorded here. While the gospels are the inspired witness of those who experienced these events, they are not a complete record, only those things the Holy Spirit chose to make significant to them. It’s like that for us today – some things may be vitally important to us, but not to others, and vice versa. All Scripture is important, but it may speak to us differently in different situations, and at different times in our lives.

What is vitally important to all of us is the fact that “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name“. A good friend of mine used to counsel that it was essential to “keep the main thing the main thing”, meaning not to get distracted by issues that are not part of our mission – to love one another and to make disciples of all the world.

God gave us the gift of knowledge in His Word that we could learn and share with each other. Studying Scripture, praying for understanding and the fellowship of gathering to share are all essential for Scripture to become real in our lives. Practicing these disciplines will bring us closer to God and our brothers and sisters.

Gracious God, we are blessed by Your Word and Your love. Help us to study, understand and share this precious gift with the world that all may come to know You as their Creator and live in the hope of being with You eternally. Amen.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15

Peter, the disciple who denied Jesus not only received forgiveness, but a charge from Him to continue His work, caring for those who followed Him. Peter was reconciled to Christ through his repentance, acknowledging his failure and weakness.

We are all like Peter, alternately brave and eager, but often afraid and denying our part in Christ’s ministry. It has been asked “Why does God use imperfect people?” and the answer is “Because that’s all He has”. When we stumble, we must ask for pardon and blessing, being aware that we have made wrong choices.

Then like Peter, we may be made vital again, ready to meet the challenges that following Jesus brings, saved by His grace and part of His mission of salvation.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the gift of Your Son by which we are brought back into relationship with You. Help us to follow the lessons we are given and know that when we stray, there is mercy and forgiveness when we come to You in repentance. Amen.