05/07/2024 – Your prayers have been heard
Acts 10: 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
Cornelius was a roman soldier. The romans were invaders in the promised land. But the first and greatest barrier was the one that separated him from God. He was not part of the people of God by natural birth, but he was about to enter the covenant that could bring blessing and salvation.
Colossians 1: 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
Cornelius prayed to God regularly. There is no more effective means to enjoy communion and grow in a relationship with God. Notice the emphasis on the word regularly. We know of another instance when a centurion came to the Lord in time of need. There is nothing wrong with that- we should do that. But the conquering prayer is the prayer that we offer always. Constant prayer is guaranteed a response from God. And what a response! An angel of God visits him and says: message received! He has heard you! He will let you know that your prayers have been heard!
This was also the message from the angel to Zechariah. I think there are a lot of angels waiting for you to start praying regularly so they can do what they do best. Stop dreaming and start praying. Stop wishing and start praying. Stop struggling with God and start praying.