The purpose of the book of Acts
is to give an accurate account of
the birth and growth of the church.
On Monday, we learn from Acts 1
that Christ Made Us His Witnesses.
On Tuesday, we learn from Acts 2
that Christ Provides Power Source.
On Wednesday we learn fr Acts 9
that God Arranges Divine Encounter.
On Thursday we learn fr Acts 13/14
that God Acts on Earnest Prayers.
On Friday, we learn from Acts 16
that Praising God Releases Power.
On Saturday, we learn from Acts 17
that Almighty God Always Near Us.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who trust You:
for You made us Your witnesses,
and arrange divine encounters;
for You are near us, the source
of power and releases power;
for You truly keep Your promises
and act on earnest prayers. Amen.
Paul’s second missionary journey
begins with a new companion
– Silas. The team soon doubles
in size as Timothy and Luke are
added. Initially given a warm
reception in Philippi, Paul & Silas
soon experience flogging and
imprisonment for disrupting the
profitable soothsaying business.
But God uses even this to bring
a jailer and his family to salvation.
Lord, You Are Always Near Us:
He is the God who made the world
and everything in it… From one man
He created the nations throughout
the whole earth. God decided
beforehand when (nations) should
rise and fall, and He determines
their boundaries (Acts 17:24-26).
His Purpose in all of this was that
the nations should Seek After God
and perhaps feel their way towards
Him and find Him – though He Is
Not Far from any one of us (v27).
For In Him We Live and move
and have our being… For we
are also His offspring (v28).
Lord, help us to live with a strong
sense of purpose; and be open
to Your Purpose You have for us.
Help us to slow down enough
to see opportunities; not just big
things but also in everyday things.
Help me to be sensitive to people
and their needs; and be willing
to be Your hands & feet to them.
Help me Lord fulfill the spiritual
assignment You have for me. Amen.
Lord, You may seem nearer to
us when we draw near to You.
But the reality and today’s passage
remind us You are always Near us.
Help me Lord notice Your Presence
in every situation, watching over me.
Praise You Lord for being Provider,
Guide, Shield, Healer and Comforter.
Even when it seems You’re far away,
You are in reality Nearby. Amen.
Lord, we want You to be the one
In Whom We Live & have our being.
We want to hear Your voice Lord,
above all other voices in our lives.
But we get bogged down in routine
and things that want our attention.
And we relegate You to Sundays and
times when we need Your rescue.
Lord, with all our human failings,
help us recognize Your presence.
Challenge, inspire and make us into
the people You want us to be. Amen.
Paul’s second missionary journey
begins with a new companion
– Silas. The team soon doubles
in size as Timothy and Luke are
added. Initially given a warm
reception in Philippi, Paul & Silas
soon experience flogging and
Imprisonment for disrupting the
profitable soothsaying business.
But God uses even this to bring
a jailer and his family to salvation.
Lord, we Claim the Power of Praise:
Around midnight, Paul and Silas
were praying and Singing Hymns
to God, and the other prisoners
were listening. Suddenly, there was
a great earthquake…All the doors
flew open and the chains of every
prisoner fell off. The jailer woke up
to see the prison doors wide open.
He assumed the prisoners had
escaped, so he drew his sword
to kill himself. But Paul shouted:
Stop! Don’t kill yourself!
we are all here! (Acts 16:25-28).
Trembling with fear, the jailer…
fell down before Paul and Silas.
And he brought them out and said:
Sirs what must I do to be saved?”
So they said: Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,
you and your household (v29-31).
Then he brought them into his house
and set a meal before them. He
and his entire household rejoiced
because they all believed in God(34)
Lord, we magnify Your Name for
there is none like You; we thank
and praise You for grace in our lives.
When we face difficult situations
and may be tempted to give up;
remind us Lord of Paul and Silas
in prison & how You helped them.
Then put Praise in our mouth;
for You are our hope and saviour
in the midst of troubles. Amen.
Lord, I purpose to praise and
worship You in every situation;
for things bow to Your Presence
when I bow to Your Presence.
Trust that You will respond to my
praise of You, sometimes visibly
in power and sometimes invisibly.
But either way, Your Presence
is real when my heart is in sync
with the truth of Your glory. Amen.
Lord, the circumstances may not
be great; and there are things
that I don’t quite understand. What are You doing in this situation?
What do You want to do thru me? Although I may be hurting inside;
but may Your sovereign will be done.
I am open to what You want to do;
and help me Lord join You at work,
incl declaring Your salvation. Amen.
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).
Paul & Banabas returned to Lystra,
Iconium and Antioch, strengthening
the souls of the disciples, exhorting
them to continue in the faith… So
when they had appointed elders
in every church and Prayed with
Fasting, they commended them
to the Lord… Now… they reported
all that God had done with them,
that He had opened the doors of
faith to the Gentiles(Acts 14:21-27)
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 to start the discipline of
fasting & make us ready to handle
the opportunities ahead. 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…
I am weak and helpless Lord
You, my strength shall be
Guide me with Your gracious hand
There will my victory be… Amen.
Two years after Commission, only Jerusalem had heard the good news.
Then persecution hits, scattering disciples into Judea and Samaria.
Phillip extends his witness to Africa
thru conversion of visiting dignitary.
And Saul encounters the risen
Lord on the road to Damascus,
transforming him from Saul the
Antagonist to Paul the Missionary.
Lord, we seek to Encounter You:
The Lord told (Ananias): Go to house
of Judas on Straight Street and ask
for a man from Tarsus named Saul
for he is Praying. And in a vision he
has seen you putting your hand on
him… Go for he is a chosen vessel
of Mine to bear My name before
Gentiles… Immediately he preached
Christ in the synagogues that He
is the Son of God (Acts 9:11-20).
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he
tried to meet with the believers, but
they were all afraid… Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles & told
them how Saul had seen the Lord
on the way to Damascus (v26-27).
Then the churches throughout
Judea, Galilee and Samaria…were
edified. And walking in the fear of
the Lord and in the comfort of the
Holy Spirit, they… multiplied (v31).
Lord, You gave Paul a dramatic
Encounter on the road to Damascus.
The encounter and the fruit of
Paul’s life validated his testimony.
An Encounter with You Lord can turn
anyone into a passionate believer
who will earnestly give You glory.
So step into our experiences in
powerful and life-altering ways
and show us Your glory. Amen.
Lord, You appeared to Saul, blinded
him to get his attention and then
turnaround his life. Likewise, You
may allow me to get to a dark place
where I can’t see without Your help.
At those times, help me to do as
Paul did and Pray fervently so that
my spiritual sight can be restored
and Your Will Be Done. Amen.
Lord, help me to see others with
Your eyes; and make me to be
an encourager like Barnabas.
Give me Lord the vision to see the
potential You’ve deposited in them.
Fill me with courage to stand with
those in trouble and need my help.
Make me an encouragement from
Your heart to the hearts of others.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
With Jesus’ last instruction still
in their ears, the disciples go forth
speaking words of eternal life.
Visited by their resurrected Lord
and empowered by the promised
Comforter, they fearlessly follow
their marching orders in spite of
mocking, threats & physical abuse.
The advance of the gospel is soon
opposed by adversaries;but prompt
discipline & resolute commitment
only serve to enlarge the church.
Lord, we’ll Be Open to Holy Spirit:
On the day of Pentecost, seven
weeks after Jesus’ resurrection,
the believers were meeting in
one place… There was a sound
from heaven. And they were Filled
with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
In the last days… I will pour out
of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons
and daughters shall prophesy…
and whoever calls on the name
of the Lord shall be saved (v17-21).
They devoted themselves to
the apostles’ teaching and to the
fellowship, to the breaking of bread
and to prayer… And the Lord
added to the church daily those
who were being saved (v42,47).
Lord Jesus, grant us the unity
and fervency in prayer that Your
followers had in the upper room.
We long to see Your kingdom
expand, Your Spirit Poured Out
in power and the accomplishment
of Your will & purpose in our time.
Grant us hearts that take an active
role in laying the tracks for Your
Spirit’s work in our generation. Amen
Spirit, reveal any obstacle between
us or the change that is needed.
Empower us & renew us, for we
are open to have Your way in us.
Fill us for we want to experience
the reality of Your presence. And
may Your character and Your ways
rub off on us so that our hearts
can become more like Yours. Amen.
Father, help us be diligent to the
study of Your Word and teach us
so that we understand it fully.
Help us to be in communion
and to encourage one another.
Help us make prayer priority by
setting aside time for it; for often
it gets set aside for other things.
Enable us to maintain that direct
line to You by praying constantly as
You bring things to our mind. Amen.
With Jesus’ last instruction still in their ears, the disciples go forth speaking words of eternal life. Visited by their resurrected Lord and empowered by the promised Comforter, they fearlessly follow their marching orders in spite of mocking, threats & physical abuse. The advance of the gospel is soon opposed by adversaries. But prompt discipline, wise leadership and unflinching commitment only serve to enlarge the church.
Lord, we will Be Your Witnesses:
Wait for the Promise of the Father…
For John… baptized with water,
but you shall be baptized
with the Holy Spirit not many
days from now (Acts 1:4-5). Jesus said: U Shall Receive Power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you Shall Be Witnesses to Me… (Acts 1:8). Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He Will Return in the same way you saw Him go. Then they returned to Jerusalem from Mount Olivet. And they went up into the upper room These all continued with One Accord In Prayer (v11-14). Amen.
Lord, thanks for giving us Your Holy Spirit when we accepted You, to Be Empowered and Be Your Witness. Give me ears to hear and teach me how to listen to You. Enable me to better understand virtues like grace, forgiveness, eternity; and most of all You. Keep me from the distraction of busyness & draw me closer to You more and more. Amen.
Lord, let it be settled in my heart that You Are Returning. Help me to be sensitive to changing seasons both in my life & those around me. Help me to share Your life with others who are open to know more about You. Open my eyes to the signs around me so that I might prepare for Your Return out of gratitude for Your great love. Amen
Lord, Help me to be in communion with other believers & be in prayer together. When we think our voices are small and don’t count, help us remember we’re not alone. Use our prayers rising from all over the world and join them to fulfil Your purposes. And thank you for letting our prayers be a part of your big plans. Amen
Over the last eight months plus, we
have been meditating on the theme:
Trusting God thru His Promises.
We know the importance of prayer
in our lives; and there are so much
to pray about for ourselves and
for others: dreams, hopes & plans.
But often we are held up by doubts:
Does God care about our requests?
How valuable then it is to pray back
to God the very promises found
in His Word. When we speak God’s
very words back to Him, we no
longer wonder if this is something
God cares about, for He brought
it up in the very first place.
Lord, each time when You reveal
something of Your nature, You are
promising us that You will be true
to that nature in any circumstance.
We know by promising and then
performing what U promised, You’ll
awaken in us expectation & desire
and find outlets in prayer of faith.
Praise You that Your promises are
rock solid; and that Your very nature
and character stand behind them.
Grant us faith not only to merely
believe Your Word but also to act
on it. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
We are meditating through the Bible,
which is organised by genres:
Laws, History, Poetry and Prophets…
Before we continue to Acts & letters
here’s the key thots fr the gospels
which portray Christ Jesus as
the Messianic King, the Son of Man
who came to serve and give His life,
the Saviour who seeks & saves the
lost, and the Son of God that all who
believe in Him will have eternal life.
Feb 5: Father Provides Needs (Mt 6)
Feb 12: Christ Gives Rest (Mt 11)
F19: Christ Answers Faith Pr(Mt21)
Apr9:God’s Word Trustworthy(Mk4)
Jul 2: G Answers Persistent Pr(Lk11)
Aug27:Christ Satisfies Longing(Jn4)
Sep 3: Good Shepherd Cares (Jn10)
S10: Christ Wants us Fruitful (Jn 15)
Navigation: Click PrayerThots.com
Scroll to Calendar, Select mth & day.
Over the last eight months plus, we
have been meditating on the theme:
Trusting God thru His Promises.
We know the importance of prayer
in our lives; and there are so much
to pray about for ourselves and
for others: dreams, hopes & plans.
But often we are held up by doubts:
Does God care about our requests?
How valuable then it is to pray back
to God the very promises found
in His Word. When we speak God’s
very words back to Him, we no
longer wonder if this is something
God cares about, for He brought
it up in the very first place.
Lord, each time when You reveal
something of Your nature, You are
promising us that You will be true
to that nature in any circumstance.
We know by promising and then
performing what U promised, You’ll
awaken in us expectation & desire
and find outlets in prayer of faith.
Praise You that Your promises are
rock solid; and that Your very nature
and character stand behind them.
Grant us faith not only to merely
believe Your Word but also to act
on it. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
We are meditating through the Bible,
which is organised by genres:
Laws, History, Poetry and Prophets…
Before we continue to Acts & letters
here’s the key thots fr the gospels
which portray Christ Jesus as
the Messianic King, the Son of Man
who came to serve and give His life,
the Saviour who seeks & saves the
lost, and the Son of God that all who
believe in Him will have eternal life.
Feb 5: Father Provides Needs (Mt 6)
Feb 12: Christ Gives Rest (Mt 11)
F19: Christ Answers Faith Pr(Mt21)
Apr9:God’s Word Trustworthy(Mk4)
Jul 2: G Answers Persistent Pr(Lk11)
Aug27:Christ Satisfies Longing(Jn4)
Sep 3: Good Shepherd Cares (Jn10)
S10: Christ Wants us Fruitful (Jn 15)
Navigation: Click PrayerThots.com
Scroll to Calendar, Select mth & day.
The Upper Room Discourse
contains Jesus’ final words of
instruction and encouragement
to His disciples before His death.
Only John records these intimate
moments between Jesus & His men
as He models true humility (c13),
describes the Holy Spirit who will
comfort & empower them (c14-16)
and intercedes for protection and
unity of His disciples worldwide (17)
Lord, we purpose to Remain in You:
I am the true vine and My Father
is the gardener. Every branch that
does bear fruit he prunes so that it
will be even more fruitful (Jn 15:1-2)
I am the vine; you are the branches.
IF You REMAIN In Me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit; apart
from Me you can do nothing…
By this My Father is glorified that
you bear much fruit (Jn 15:5-8).
IF You KEEP my commandments,
you will abide in My love. This is My
commandment that you Love one
another as I have loved you.
You are My friends IF You DO
what I command. I no longer call
you servants… Instead I have
called you friends (v10-15) Amen.
Lord, You desire that we will be
fruitful; full of love, joy and peace.
U desire we be full of good works
and sharing the faith so that
others will come to believe in You.
Help me to walk close to You
each day and stay constantly
in communication with You –
both by talking and listening
to You speak to my heart. Amen.
Lord, Help me to stay deeply in
Your Word, learning more about
You, Your ways and Your will.
Help me hold on to Your Word
for you promise that You hear me
when I pray in line with Your will.
Help me to cling to You especially
when times are tough, knowing
faithfulness will lead to fruitfulness
and to answered prayers. Amen
Lord, U command us as believers
to love one another as You have
loved us sacrificially. Help me
follow Your command to love
others with Your kind of love.
And help me Develop Deep
Friendship with You, loving You,
spending time with You and
talking to You each day. Amen.
