The theme for day 6 is Damascus road conversions from Acts 9. Without the intervention of Jesus Christ directly in the life of Paul, well Saul before he was converted, we would not have this great apostle and all the work that he did to bring the gospel to the Gentiles.
Paul was unexpectedly converted. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees and he was the one who was seeking to stop Christians wherever they were. Saul actively sought to find Christians and to bring them back to Jerusalem to punish them for following after the way. But then he was converted. No one preached to him. No one read to him the four spiritual laws. No one invited him to Church. He was simply arrested by a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
What was it that caused Paul, then known as Saul, to experience such a spontaneous conversion? Well, the Bible doesn’t say this but it’s quite possible that it was the Christians who had fled Jerusalem and some that had fled to Damascus that we’re praying that God would protect them and do something about Saul who was such an opposition to the church. It is possible that God listened to those prayers and responded by confronting Saul. But God is not bound to use us, it is also possible that God sovereignly chose Saul. In either case, God listens to his saints and he gives us what we ask for and if we ask for those who are opposing we might just find God answering.
The challenge here is that every individual has the free will to choose to accept Christ, or reject him. When God calls, we who are Christians, answered and came to him. But even Jesus himself was not able to convince every person of the truth of who he is. For these people that opposed him he said in
Luke 6:35–36 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting back nothing, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful!
The best that we can do is love them and be willing to accept those that do receive the great grace of God’s salvation as Saul did. We can, and also should pray for those like Ananias who must overcome the reputation of those that have persecuted the Church and must find faith to believe that God has converted them. In his natural mind, Ananias responded in
Acts 9:13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem”
but then Ananias went on to pray for Paul in
Acts 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
And, Barnabas also accepted Paul and helped him gain acceptance with other believers in
Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
With the conversion of Saul, the opposition was quieted and a new and strong voice emerged speaking boldly in the name of Jesus so that in
Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being strengthened. And living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it was increasing in numbers.
The Word Guiding Prayer for the Day
John 6:44 No one is able to come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.
1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed,” and no one is able to say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26–27 And likewise also, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as one ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unexpressed groanings. 27 And the one who searches our hearts knows what the mindset of the Spirit is, because he intercedes on behalf of the saints according to the will of God.
The Needs
Believe
Believe God for specific people to have a Damascus Road experience, name them.
Acts 1:1-6
Mark 11:23
Trust
Trust the Father to raise up many like Ananias to go and confirm new converts into the kingdom
Acts 9:10-19
Yearn for new converts to be filled with the Holy Spirit and have a hunger for God’s word
Acts 9:17
Raise
Raise up Lord, a force of men and women like Barnabas to encourage the church to fulfill her mission
Acts 9:26-30
Acts 11:23-24
So Be It
Let it be so as God’s word also says in
1 John 5:14-15
1 Peter 3:9
2 Timothy 2:3-4
Answers
List new converts and thank God for each of them.
Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being strengthened. And living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it was increasing in numbers.
Day 6 Reading
- Acts 9:1-43
References
- 1. Teykl, T. (Dr.). (1997), Acts 29: 50 Days to Invite the Holy Spirit. Prayer Point Pr. https://www.amazon.com/Acts-29-Days-Invite-Spirit/dp/1578920450/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ref_=nav_signin&&linkCode=ll1&tag=prayny-20&linkId=f53533b082e7ab3aa9a206bf08fd85db&language=en_US