Gift of prayer
Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Acts 3:1-16 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).
When a friend was going through a very tough time, the issues were so big that it felt like there was little I could do practically to help, but I did ask ‘can I pray for you?’ I didn’t have much, physically speaking, to offer, but by praying for my friend, I shared what I did have with her, which was arguably worth even more than any tangible gift I could have given her.
In our reading today, we find Peter and John being confronted by someone experiencing an extremely tough time, having been unable to walk since birth, the man in our passage was relying on others to carry him to the gate of the Temple so that he could beg for money. He seemed to have no hope except for relying on the generosity, or perhaps pity, of others.
Wonderfully, Peter and John saw this man and were bold to share what they had with him. They knew that what, or rather, who, they had to share was worth so much more than the coins the man was expecting to receive from them. Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’ (v.6). And he did! Suddenly, through Jesus, this man had the ability to walk again, and even more importantly he had grounds for solid hope, based on Jesus and not on others.
Sometimes we can feel apologetic when ‘all' we have to offer is prayer and sharing the hope we have in Jesus with others, but we are reminded today of the incredible power of Jesus, for whom no problem or struggle is too big.
Whilst we do not see the types of healings our passage describes as often today, we can be confident that Jesus’ name is just a powerful today, still bringing hope and healing to many people in many ways. Trusting that those who are following Jesus can look forward to a time when there will be full and perfect healing, in body, mind, and spirit. So, this Lent, as we prepare to celebrate Easter and Jesus’ triumph over death and darkness once again, let us consider who around us is still in need of the hope and healing which Jesus brings and let us be bold to share the most precious gift we have with those around us.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, thank You that Your name is powerful and that You are still at work today, bringing hope and healing. Please give us the courage to share You with those around us this Lent, and always. Amen.