PRAYER PROMPTS ACTION

PRAYER PROMPTS ACTION!

Acts 16:9-10

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

           Paul was praying about his next field of service – without much success. “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” (Acts 16:6-7) Prayer, had not yet given him his answer so he had no choice but to wait.

           God surely heard Paul’s prayer but did not confirm his own initiatives. He travelled around and thought to take the gospel into Asia but the Spirit would not allow that. Only God knew why! Paul was stuck in a cycle of prayer without an answer. He was itching to do something but knew that he did not yet have clear direction. He could wear himself out doing the wrong thing or he could wait on God. Have you ever been there?

           Finally, in a way that could only be attributed to God, Paul had his answer. Now it was action time! Acts 16:10 said that Paul “immediately” endeavored to go into Macedonia. The word “endeavored” literally means “to plot.” Definite plans were made to sever ties with where they were and to put together a scheme to accomplish what God had led them to do. It was exciting!

           Often prayer will not dump a blessing on you like a Gatorade bath near the end of a football game. Rather, prayer will assure you of God’s will and gently nudge you toward a goal. With that encouragement, action should be taken.

           To what or where is God guiding you? If you have clear direction, have you “endeavored” or plotted your scheme to accomplish His will? Prayer is urging you to action.

Ps 143:8

8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Dear Lord, give me clear direction and also strong motivation to do what I know I should do. AMEN