Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, April 25, 2015
Illustration of Saint Luke
from the Lindisfarne folio
Filled with the Holy Spirit? In Prayer. And, in Deed.
I read the scripture reading for today, and am moved by verses 30 and 31. Perhaps I ought to back up and let everyone know what was going on.
Earlier in Acts 4, Peter and John were thrown in prison. God caused a jail break, and they came back and rejoined the other followers of Jesus. The lectionary reading picks up at the beginning of a prayer of thanksgiving and of power.
As I said, I was particularly moved by the following verses: Acts 4:30-31. “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Wow! And again, I say wow!
The mighty power of God is evident in chapter 4. Gosh, it is abundantly evident all through the book of Acts, as well as throughout the whole New Testament.
This reading makes me yearn for the power of God to be made manifest in me. Or, in my church. Or, in people I know. I long to see the Holy Spirit at work, living and active. I very much want to have the word of God speaking through me.
If the place where my church had meetings were shaken, most people would probably think it was because of an earthquake! Instead, God, could You send some power towards this little congregation? Help those within the congregation to perform signs and wonders, as pleases You. Please, Lord? Dear Lord, gracious God, I earnestly pray. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.
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Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind. @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .
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