God Acts on Earnest Prayers
Backgrounder on Acts 13-15:
Acts 13 marks the beginning
of Paul’s missionary career.
Returning to Antioch at the end
of their first missionary journey,
Paul and his travelling companion
Barnabas report to their home
church and seek to resolve
the issue of including Gentiles in
the previously all-Jewish church.
Lord, we’ll Seek You in Prayer:
As they ministered to the Lord
and fasted, the Holy Spirit said:
Separate to Me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called
them. Then having fasted & Prayed…
they sent them away (Acts 13:2-3)
They came to Antioch… and went
into the synagogue… On the next
Sabbath almost the whole city came
to hear the word of God (v14, 44).
(The Lord said): I have made you
a Light to the Gentiles, to bring
Salvation to the farthest corners
of the earth. When the Gentiles
heard this, they were very glad and
thanked the Lord for His message…
and became believers (v47-48).
Lord, we realise calling is revealed
in prayer; and tend to be defined
within a church body of believers.
For it’s tough to develop to one’s
full potential independent of others.
Grant us unity for it adds power
to our prayers and confidence
that God will answer in power.
And enable us to be set apart
for the work You’ve for us. Amen.
Lord, we realise whenever important
decisions had to be made, prayer
are often accompanied by fasting.
Lord, we know that with fasting,
our prayers can gain new power.
Help us Lord to do that whenever
we’ve to make important decisions
and need to have Your guidance.
Help us in the discipline of fasting &
prayer to make us ready to handle
the opportunities ahead. Amen.
Lord, there are many people all
around us whom You are pursuing.
Show us within our circle friends,
loved ones and neighbours that You
want us to pray & build relationships.
For they may be the very people
You have appointed to eternal life.
Equip us Lord to be lights to those
who don’t know You yet and to love
them for Christ Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Lord, I will come to You in prayer
I will seek Your face
I will stand within the gap
There will I intercede…
For every time I pray
I move the hand of God
My prayer does the things
My hands cannot do.
For every time I pray
The mountains are removed
The paths are made straight
And nations turn to You. Amen.