February 4, 2023: A Place of Prayer

"And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together." (Acts 16:13, ESV)

Merriam's dictionary defines a 'motley' crew as an unusual mixed group. I think that is a perfect description of most prayer groups. You find all kinds of different people in prayer groups. The beautiful thing about it is this—Jesus loves them, with all their quirks, all their differences, and all their backgrounds.  His heart is thrilled because people from all walks of life gather at a place of prayer. I like to think of it as He is already there when they arrive and joyfully greets them all.

Acts 16:13 is also interesting because there is an established place of prayer, a noted place of prayer. So much so that when Paul arrives at Philippi, he inquires where there is a place of prayer in the city, and people can tell him. How about you? Do you have a place of prayer, or are you aware that believers gather together in a particular area to seek God and petition Him for their city?

Let me also mention that Paul found in Philippi a problem common to the church today; "we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together." Gentlemen, God needs you to be in the place of prayer. You have a voice and an authority given by God to shake cities! Don't underestimate who you are in Christ.