30 Days - Day 17

Day 17

Acts 8:14-24

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

As the apostles have been in Samaria they have prayed for the new believers there to be empowered just as they had been at Pentecost. They pray that they would receive power and be witnesses just as they had received power and become witnesses. God answers. But, as has happened before, some only see in this power and the word of God the opportunity for personal recognition and gain for themselves rather than the glory for God.

In this passage we see that in this case it was a man that had long enjoyed the spotlight. He enjoyed the respect and perhaps even fear of the people because of his own abilities, talents and power. But, now he has come to Christ. He has seen a power that, despite all his abilities and prowess, he himself has never known. He is convinced and also believes! However, the pull of his old position and need to be respected still have hold over him. He sees the apostles with an ability he has never had and desires to “be “somebody” again. He offers them money. Seeing his heart, Peter confronts the man and tells him to repent and pray.

As he is harshly rebuked, this former sorcerer begins to fear. He fears judgment. He fears God’s retribution and a power that he cannot stand before. Perhaps he even fears his own heart and the attitudes he sees there. He is totally without confidence before God... if he prays, will God hear him?... will it be of any effect? So he asks, begs, Peter to pray for him.

As we look at this episode we see something of human nature. The difficulty that we can experience in prayer because of sin and failure. It is not that this man could not have approached God and asked for forgiveness. The problem was in his confidence and feeling of failure. His heart had failed him and he was afraid. I find it hard to believe that seeing the fear in this man’s heart that Peter would not have changed his tone and prayed for this man. Justice mixed with and tempered by mercy is a common theme throughout scripture. It is not just this passage but also the story of Job that points to the importance that we have in helping one another to pray in the face of sin and failure.

Job experienced something similar. His friends had hurt him, they had failed him, they had spoken presumptuously about God and so God rebuked them and then sent them to Job to have him pray for them. Job helped them at a point when they were at a low...rebuked by God. It might have been hard for them to pray. THey had thought that they knew God. They had presumed to speak for Him and been rebuffed. However, having someone come alongside of them to help them would have been a great encouragement. It might have helped them not to fall into despair and spiritual morass. It may have encouraged them to live up to the position that they had been given by faith. That kind of love surely would help to cover a multitude of sin.

It also does something else. There has been conflict between brothers. There has been disagreement, there has been confrontation, there has been a rise in emotion and tension and so there were also have been an atmosphere conducive to division and unforgiveness. However, when we pray for and with one another there is also an easing of conflict and there is no question left of whether or not there has been forgiveness. It frees both parties to begin to return to normal relationships with one another as well as encouraging the brother who has failed back to peace with himself and others before God. In praying on another's behalf we just might help a troubled brother or sister in Christ more than we know.

Prayer Requests Day 17

1) The tearing down of spiritual strongholds that keep people apathetic/closed to the gospel
2) Preparing of hearts to seek, hear and respond to the gospel of truth
3) Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing
4) Maribor - for God to continue to establish ministry through us that will be meaningful, relevant and effective in seeing Bible Studies and eventually a new Churches here
5) Personal and corporate walk with the Lord - growth, praise and worship, guidance