Biblical Teachings on Prayer
Acts 10:1-6
Cornelius Calls for Peter
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
Pondering Point
Don’t settle for merely reading this verse; go and check out the rest of the section – even the whole chapter (and try to make this a habit!). We find here that God honors the lifestyle of this centurion Cornelius. This doesn't make God like a vending machine, but it does reveal another facet of God's personality and the impact that a devoted prayer for life can have. Ask yourself these questions: How am I serving as a memorial offering of sorts? Is it my desire to be a service-oriented person? Is it my desire to serve other people in the various environments that I find myself in? Am I looking, as Jesus says, to serve or be served?
Prayer
Again, acknowledge this identity about yourself:
“I am a disciple of Jesus serving in work that glorifies the Father.”
Then pray:
Father God, help me develop into the kind of person whose life becomes a memorial offering before You day and night – in words, in action, in thought and in attitude. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Discuss this with your micro-group.