Acts 28:10
10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

Paul and his companions healed the sick on the island of Malta. When they were about to leave the people gave them honors and provisions. Notice Paul doesn’t refuse the honors nor the supplies with a sense of false modesty. He allows the people of Malta to be appreciative. It is a gift of hospitality to allows others to practice hospitality.

Pray for someone who has shown you favor recently.

Acts 23:11
That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”

God is keen on getting his message out. On rare occasions, he actually has to tell us directly. Most often, though, we know what to to do, it is just a matter of doing it. Why not make it an ongoing habit to let it be known that you would like to pray for someone whenever they share a concern? This is the most effective way of intersecting faith and life, whether in friendships, at work, or in other public situations.

Pray for someone today.

Acts 19:20
20 So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

After confessing their sins, residents of Ephesus see the power of forgiveness in action. The message and actions of the forgiven have a strong impact on the community. This is an invitation for us today.

When we honestly confess our sins to God and do not carry around the guilt, but instead begin to work for the Lord fresh, we will see his power. Unrealized forgiveness drags us down just like unrepentant sin. Either way we are focused on ourselves and not God.

Confess any current sins that are dragging you down and let them go.

Acts 15:12
Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Are you kidding? The Gentiles are enemies of the people of God up until this point. Yet, their fellow Christians listen quietly as Barnabas and Paul tell them that God is now at work around the Gentiles. There is no heckling or outcry as they tell their story. It is interesting when you have a common vision to spread God’s gospel around the world that you can show courtesy and respect.

Pray for this kind of courtesy to enter into your family conversations.

Acts 14:27
Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too.

When God is at work is extraordinary ways, it is not a good idea to keep it a secret. Yet, this is what is happening right now. Who knows that it is Christianity and not Islam that is growing most rapidly around the world? In Asia, Latin America, and Africa in particular, people are coming to saving faith in Jesus exponentially. In China, for instance, people are coming to Christ so quickly it amounts to 10,000 people a day.

God apparently has something else in mind then a common logical fallacy that “all religions lead to the truth.” If you mean by this, “All worldviews have inherent within them ways to connect to the Gospel of Jesus,” then, of course, you are correct. The difference between this and other missionary movements of the past is the current growth is under the leadership of native culture leaders who are able to contextualize the Gospel truths. Fascinating.

Pray for those who are translating the Bible into new native languages.

for today and tomorrow

Acts 11:21
The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

When God is present in power, his blessing is abundant. A healing and helping hand from God through his people is a huge attraction for non-Christians to come to Christ. They might disagree with what is being taught but they can’t ignore the evidence. Signs and wonders address skepticism head on.

Pray for Jesus to work through you today to be a sign.

Acts 13:11
Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.”

God’s hand can also work against us and tear us down. In this verse, Saul, a hateful enemy of God is reprimanded in a way that only God can pull off. The bitter, spiteful opponent becomes Paul, the main biblical spokesman in the New Testament. The one who couldn’t see the light of the sun finally gives in to the “light of the Son.” Now you can’t stop him from sharing the Good News.

Pray for God to correct you if you are going against his ways.

Acts 11:17
So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”

Here Peter is speaking about the message he received from God who told him that faith in Jesus is for all people, not just the Jews. God leads the non-Jewish people (Gentiles) to faith in Christ and so it is legitimate. The barriers are falling and being right with God is possible for all cultures.

Pray for your Jewish friends.