Category: Daily Prayer

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!

Acts 2:14-15

Peter begins to tell those assembled what is happening, and it will be the first testimony of Christ by the disciples to the crowds. Jesus told them when He returned to heaven that they were now His messengers, responsible for sharing His story and His love.

Peter becomes the spokesman for the group, and will teach simply but emphatically about Jesus’ resurrection. He doesn’t have any special training, but the gift of the Holy Spirit enables him to speak to the crowd in a way they can understand. That is Christ’s commandment, that we go to make disciples of all the world, and the best way to do that is by sharing how we know Him personally.

The things Jesus taught and Peter shared will change us and show us all a better way to live in God’s world. Through the coming of the Holy Spirit we are all blessed to be God’s representatives, called to speak the Word to everyone.

Gracious God, we are comforted by the presence of the Holy Spirit, guiding and inspiring us to follow the path You have for us. Let us be enthusiastic workers for Your kingdom, empowered to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.
Acts 2:12-16

The coming of the Holy Spirit has an effect on the disciples that is visible to everyone, but they do not all understand what has happened. As humans are prone to do, some ridicule the disciples and dismiss the event, saying their experience is nothing more than a drunken outburst, that they are not in control of themselves.

They did get that part right – the disciples are not in control of themselves, they are in the grip of grace, under the power of the Holy Spirit. Someone who has not felt the very presence of God has no frame of reference for comparison and those are most likely to attribute heavenly connections to merely human behavior.

When you ask God into your life, it makes a visible change in how you speak and act. If God has touched you, it is impossible to be the same worldly creature you were previously. Others may think your behavior is unusual, but that is what sets us apart as Christians. Instead of responding as the world does, we respond as Jesus would, caring for our brothers and sisters regardless of their situation or ability to do something for us in return.

Loving Lord, we are grateful and humbled by the gift of Your Holy Spirit. May we go as You have called us to share this joy with all the world, showing that Your love is given to everyone, no matter who or where they are. Amen.

Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
Acts 2:7-12

God had chosen the perfect time – as He always does – for the disciples to witness to a large and diverse group of people. The festival of Pentecost called faithful Jews from all over world to bring the offerings of their first fruits to the temple in Jerusalem. As the scripture records, there were people of all different nations and regions, and each heard the Word of God in their own native language. They were amazed by this, and many thought the disciples were drunk…or worse!

Are we like those who discounted the wonder that was occurring? Perhaps we would have sneered “oh, it’s just Google Translate!” Often our worldview and supposed sophistication lead us to dismiss everyday miracles all around us. We need to be more aware of God reaching out to us, wanting to grab our attention and have us focus on the connection with Him that is essential to our lives.

Today, open yourself to God’s gentle nudges. It could be very simple, but it could also be life-changing. Listen for His greeting and be ready to hear the call He places on each of our lives to share His love with everyone.

Gracious God, thank You for calling us into Your holy work here on earth. Help us to hear the invitation and respond enthusiastically, ready to go where You send us with the Good News. Amen.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?
Acts 2:5-8

Have you ever been to a country where a different language is spoken? Even if you are familiar with it, when you hear your own language, it is like a beacon – we are intricately connected to our roots through our language. That’s how it was for those who heard the disciples speaking in different languages on the day of Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit came to them with the gift of being able to reach others through speaking their own language. This gift wasn’t for the disciples specifically, but that those around them might be touched by God’s love. That’s how it is with all of God’s gifts, they are given to us for a purpose, to further His work through us.

What gifts has God given you to build His kingdom here? Each of us have something special He can use to continue the mission Jesus gave us – to make disciples of all the world. Ask God to help you put your gift from Him to good use in the world. Someone out there needs what you have to share.

Loving Lord, thank You for all the good gifts You provide for us. Help us to be good stewards of these resources that You may be glorified and Your children brought back to connection with You. Amen.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Acts 2:1-4

Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit, God’s divine presence given to each of us. It is our inspiration and guide, helping us to follow His teaching and share His love with the world. This was a new experience for the followers of Jesus, who were used to having Him present with them. In this new phase of their mission, they were responsible for the spread of the Good News themselves.

Jesus said we would not be left alone. He promised that “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) While Jesus would no longer be physically present, we can be encouraged and supported by the Holy Spirit in our lives.

God wants us to be part of His saving work, and to be with us in our lives every day. Through the Holy Spirit we are blessed with His love and care, enabled to go into the world to share the Word with everyone. May we burn with the fire of Pentecost today and always!

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the coming of the Holy Spirit in our lives. May it fill our hearts and move us to speak and act in Your name. Bless us to bless others that all the world may know You. Amen.

Our scripture this week (Acts 16:16-40) tells the story of Paul and his friends traveling to Macedonia to share the Gospel there. The lesson is one of obedience to God’s will, subordinating our desires and doing what He asks of us. While Paul’s group has success, they also meet opposition and suffer personal hardship, but God blesses their obedience in their mission.

It seems we find it hard to be obedient in everyday circumstances, how much harder is it to obey when we are challenged by the world? God understands the difficulties we face and gives us the strength and support we need to accomplish our tasks if we trust in Him and not in ourselves! If Paul had trusted himself, they would never have gone to Macedonia, until God sent the vision to Paul he was trying to go elsewhere.

When we go it alone, we often fail. God wants us to follow His plan for our lives, which isn’t always easy. We must choose to be obedient, He will not force us. His love is always there for us, to be the source of our hope and our guide to the work He has for us. When we go God’s way rather than our own, it may be difficult – Jesus tells us it is a narrow gate that leads to salvation (Matthew 7:13-14) and we must stay on the path – but when we keep God’s commandments we are blessed.

Ask God what He has in mind for you today and every day. We may not receive a vision as Paul did, but when we ask earnestly for guidance, God always has an answer. Listen for His voice and be ready to obey, and like Paul and Silas, God will have a mission for you.

Wise and wonderful God, we are grateful to be part of Your plan for salvation. Help us to listen for the direction You give, to be ready to go in Your name to share the Good News with all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.
Acts 16:38-40

Why didn’t Paul and Silas claim their rights in the first place and avoid the beating and imprisonment? They could have spared themselves the pain and shame. Does this perhaps sound a little familiar? We could ask the same thing of Jesus – why didn’t He claim His heavenly citizenship and use the power that was rightfully His to escape death? God had a better plan in both cases and Paul and Silas were obedient to God’s will, like Jesus, even when it meant suffering for themselves.

Paul had planted the seed of a church in Philippi at Lydia’s house. Now he also has made believers of the jailer and his household. This fragile community of Christians will need protection to grow and flourish in a Roman stronghold. Now he has “leverage” to use there – publicly beating and imprisoning Roman citizens without a trial could result in the city leaders being dismissed, imprisoned or executed – this provides “insurance” for the Philippian church.

When have you been called to endure undeserved hardship for the sake of your faith? In our society we may not face physical abuse or arrest, but are we sometimes made fun of or dismissed by society because of our choice to follow Jesus? Ask God for guidance and strength to stand against worldly and eternal evil when you are threatened by it. God will bless your efforts!

Gracious God, thank You for heroes of the faith who opposed evil even when it meant personal hardship and pain. Make us strong like they were to proclaim the Gospel against all the enemy’s attacks. Amen.

When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”
Acts 16:35-37

It sounds like Paul may be feeling vengeful when the officers come to release them, but as we will learn, revenge is not his motivation. It would be understandable for him to be angry about their treatment, but he is not as concerned for himself and his friends as for the new believers in Philippi.

The punishment Paul and Silas received for sharing the Gospel may be what lies ahead for the new church they have planted, and God has given Paul the means to protect them to a certain extent. His Roman citizenship gives him rights under their law which he can now use to his advantage. Jesus told us we would be persecuted for being His followers, but He didn’t prohibit using the gifts God gave us to prevent harm where possible.

God wants us to share His love with everyone and to nurture those who are new to the faith. That means standing up for them and doing what we can to lessen the opposition they may face from the world. We are called to defend each other from harm when we have the means to do so; let us be brave when others are threatened.

Wise and wonderful God, we are glad to be part of Your work here on earth. Help us to make good decisions, to love each other as You first loved us and to stand firm against sin in Your name. Amen.

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved —you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. Acts 16:29-34

Paul and Silas had an opportunity to demonstrate Christian love in a bad situation. They had been beaten and thrown in jail for preaching the Gospel, but when an earthquake opens the doors and breaks their chains, they wait for the jailer, who might be killed if they escape. He is amazed and after they testify to him about Jesus, he takes them to his home where he and his entire family are baptized.

Paul and Silas had every right to be angry, but instead of acting on their own emotions, they accepted the chance to share the Good News. How often do we miss a opportunity like this because we allow the situation to control us? When we submit to God’s authority we give Him control over our lives and refuse to let earthly things interfere.

God can use any interaction we have for good. I have a friend who prays for those who cut him off in traffic. Do they know he is doing this? No, but that’s not the point – by lifting them up he avoids an angry reaction and prayer is always powerful. Try diffusing a difficult situation by giving it to God rather than reacting as a human.

Loving Lord, we are prone to anger and emotional outbursts. Help us to see opportunities to serve You and share Your love when we face trying times. May we behave as Jesus did, meeting opposition with calm resolve and faith. Amen.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:25-30

Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned for sharing the Gospel. Even in this situation, they continued to praise God, and while they were there, they were witnessing to the other prisoners through their songs and prayers. An earthquake frees all them all, but they don’t escape and the jailer is so impressed by their faith and their act of mercy to him that he takes them to his home where he and his family are baptized.

We may never experience the dramatic events that Paul did during his ministry, but we are called to share the Good News just as he did. God acts powerfully in our lives as well, giving us the gifts and opportunities needed to advance His kingdom. We must learn how to use these for the tasks we are given, growing in our love for God and others.

How has God gifted and blessed you? Think of the ways you are wonderfully made that His glory might be displayed and His love shared with the world. God wants to be in relationship with us all, and He has a mission for each of us.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the many ways You call us to serve in the world. Help us to use our gifts for the good of our brothers and sisters and to praise You. Amen.