Unstoppable! 'Prayer Opens Us to the Direction and Mission of God' — Acts 10:9

Sunday, May 31, 2026

The next day as Cornelius's messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon...

— Acts 10:9 NLT

Key Thought

The apostles knew that a devoted prayer life was essential to their leadership of Jesus' unstoppable movement of grace and faith. They would not be distracted from prayer and the ministry of the message of Jesus in the early days of the church. They prayed before selecting a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:21-26). The need for the apostles to have more time for prayer was part of the reason for selecting the seven men to serve the Greek-speaking widows, and the apostles prayed for the men when they were selected (Acts 6:4-6). Barnabas and Paul were worshiping and fasting when God sent them out on his mission (Acts 13:1-3). Prayer was the gift that opened the windows of heaven for the power of the Holy Spirit to be released (Acts 4:31). And Peter's afternoon prayer in today's verse was the doorway for God to enter Peter's world and invite him to lead the church into the whole world, not just the Jewish world. What doors remain closed to us today because we don't pray?

Today's Prayer

Forgive us, dear Lord, for not praying with passion and not hungering to be in your presence. Awaken my heart to prayer, I ask, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Opening Hearts to Jesus' Mission
Devo: Unstoppable!
"The next day as Cornelius's messengers were nearing [Joppa], Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, and he was hungry. But while...."
Making My Grace for All Clear
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of God, As I have shared with you before, I want all people saved and brought into My family of grace. I don't want any distinctions to..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 10:9 NLT — The next day as Cornelius's messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon...

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, May 31, 2026

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God even Examines Your Secret Motives'
"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and...."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Bread from Heaven' (Jn. 6:48-50)
"[Jesus said,] "Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven,..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Who Alone Does Great Things' (Ps. 72:18)
"Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'The Third Time'
"Dear Beloved, The last few days I've visited with you about Peter's restoration and several important principles regarding confession, forgiveness,....."

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.

More Unstoppable!