One of the most remarkable conversions in the Bible occurs in our reading today. In a dramatic event, Saul of Tarsus is converted on the road to Damascus, where a bright light knocks Saul to the ground. This light leaves Saul blind for three days. While the conversion of the early church’s greatest persecutor is dramatic and miraculous, what stands out to me is something mentioned in the aftermath.
The Lord comes to Ananias in a vision and says to him, … “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” (Acts 9:11–12, NLT) In these two verses, we get a small peak into the realm of God’s prayer-related activities. While Saul is praying to God “right now,” the Lord is speaking to Ananias about Saul’s prayer. On one end of the prayer, Saul asks for this man in his vision to come and restore his sight. On the other end, Ananias’ life is being redirected in response to Saul’s prayer—and God is in the middle, orchestrating all of it according to His sovereign purpose and will.
As believers, what a thought that prayer connects us, in ways we don’t fully see or understand, to God’s sovereign will and purpose—and to each other—with life-changing direction and results. Because of this prayer of Saul and the obedience of Ananias, what an impact the gospel has had on this world once Saul received his sight and was taken in by the early church! Believers, let us not forget to pray and to pray all the more!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Acts 9-10.