ACTS 9: 39-41
On October 6, 2001 the world of football witnessed one of the most memorable moments in the glittering career of the great David Beckham. England were playing Greece at Old Trafford in their last world cup qualification match and needed either a win or a draw to qualify. The resilient Greek were leading 2-1 and it was the 93rdminute of the match. Time was ticking fast and England’s hopes of qualifying hung on a loose thread. Just then England were awarded a free kick inside the Greek half which was going to be the last official kick of the match. It was now or never. Beckham calmly stood a few metres away from the ball, measured his steps, set his sight on the angle he desired to hit and then boom, in his trademark style kicked and curled the ball far and deep into the left corner of the goal. The whole stadium went into a delirium. In the post match interview Beckham’s teammates profusely heaped praises on their goal scoring captain and spoke of how he kept urging each player to play sincerely and whole heartedly, to give in their very best no matter what the scoreline read. Beckham’s sincere effort and the call to his team mates to get real and deep in whatever they did on the pitch that day turned the match into a memorable draw.
In the passage we read the account of how Peter heals Tabitha. We love reading this text and giving glory to God for what happened in Tabitha’s life. That’s great, but have we ever paused and given a second thought on what went behind the scenes for this miracle to happen. This is how it transpired. Peter sent all the women out of the room. Now why did he do that? He did it, so that the prayer he utters doesn’t become a public spectacle but remains a moment of solemn solitude earnestly seeking the face of the Lord barring all distractions and interruptions. Next, he kneeled down and cried out to God. In the Jewish tradition bowing down is considered the highest form of reverence. Peter knew that if he desired a miracle he had to be in a constant communion with God. If we notice closely we will find a lot of similarities in Peter’s conduct here as compared to the miracle where Jesus healed the daughter of Jairus. Peter said, arise and Tabitha gets up. These words show an air of confidence and immense faith Peter had in the wonder working power of God. People heard of it and many in Joppa came to believe in the Lord. In John 14:12-14, Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it"
There is a story of how a whole village prayed for rain. But only one old man came to the meeting with an umbrella. We often wonder why miracles don’t happen today. The reason being , our prayers are not sincere and heartfelt but just a few words of vain babble and monotonous repetition uttered in high disbelief not expecting the big miracle.
A real prayer doesn’t wait for a crowd. It doesn’t seek fame or name but it only desires to call out to the one true God in all earnesty and sincerity to solely see His name being glorified in all the earth. There is immense power hidden in a sincere prayer to birth a miracle. Today, Have you prayed the real prayer?
Paul Samuel
Paul is serving as the Worship Coordinator of Crossway Church in New
Delhi, he can be reached at musicbuff99@gmail.com
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