Unstoppable! 'Your Prayers Have Been Answered' — Acts 10:3-4

Sunday, May 28, 2023

One afternoon about three o'clock, [Cornelius] had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. "Cornelius!" the angel said.

Cornelius stared at him in terror. "What is it, sir?" he asked the angel.

And the angel replied, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!"

— Acts 10:3-4 NLT

Key Thought

God notices the good in peoples' lives, whether they are followers of Jesus or not. Those who are genuinely seeking truth will find it in Jesus. Those who knock on heaven's door will have it opened to them. Cornelius was a good man who sought the Lord. He cared for the disadvantaged. So, one afternoon, God sent a heavenly messenger (an angel) in a vision to Cornelius to let him know God heard the longings of his heart and appreciated his life of generosity. Goodness matters to God! Heaven notices hunger for truth. I hope you will join me in praying that all those seeking truth, God, and Jesus will find him in our day!

Today's Prayer

Our Father in heaven, open the eyes of all on earth who seek you. We rejoice when we hear that some in cultures that persecute Christians and confiscate Bibles have received visions of Jesus. We celebrate when we hear of people baptized in barrels in the dark of the night in places that are hostile to faith. We thank you, Holy Spirit, for all the ways you help the message of Jesus move beyond human attempts to limit that message. Now, I ask that you awaken those of us who have not had persecution or hardship and have taken the precious gift of Jesus for granted. We want to know you and find you because we know that you are not far from any of us. We seek you, Lord! Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 7:6-7, 9-15
  • Acts 17:22-28

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 10:3-4 NLT — One afternoon about three o'clock, [Cornelius] had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. "Cornelius!" the angel said. Cornelius stared at him in terror. "What is it, sir?" he asked the angel. And the angel replied, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!"

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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