So, David and I have been reading through an interesting devotional book together called Spiritual Classics and we’re reading through the selections on prayer. While it’s been very challenging to me and my walk of faith, we also heard a good word from the pulpit this Sunday that I wanted to share.
Acts 9:36-42 says:
Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
The significant piece of this story is in the prayer. Here is Peter who’s been a very busy preacher and healer for a time now. When he came to this circumstance, the order of events and posture in this time of prayer is key. This situation was overwhelming–a blessed woman of God had died, he was surrounded by people mourning her loss, and he was possibly shaken at all of this. What did he do? He sent everyone out–he silenced the many around him to get his focus on the One Voice that mattered. He turned away from the body and prayed to get the faith he needed to face the body and situation. Looking at the circumstances and the facts head on was more than he could handle in his flesh. By turning away from that circumstance, he was able to clear his mind and focus on God. When he got the faith he needed through prayer, THEN he was able to turn around and face the circumstance head on. Isn’t it funny how when we get our steps back in order and let God be Lord and King that everything seems to fall into place?
