January 6th, 2021

Acts 16:14-15 “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God.  The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.  And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urges us saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’  And she prevailed upon us.”

The Big Picture

This is the account of the conversion of Lydia, a business woman in the city of Philippi, selling purple goods. I like the phrase, “the Lord opened her heart.” Isn’t that amazing? The moment you and I believed in Christ for salvation, it was because the Lord opened our hearts. In Lydia’s case, God had been at work in her heart prior to her hearing the gospel. She had been a “worshiper of God” or a “God-fearer.” She had been curious about God and even attended services, but she still needed to hear the gospel message and embrace it. We might wonder if people around us will ever open their hearts, and this could discourage us. But let’s remember that God has others like Lydia out there, whose hearts will be opened by grace. And she and her household were baptized! Later she hosted the fellowship of believers in her home. May the story of Lydia inspire our prayers today.

How To Pray

• Pray that the Lord will open hearts and that we will have the joy of seeing many believe the good news and be baptized. Baptism is a step of obedience. Pray that we would see many baptized in 2021.

• Let’s be praying for business owners in Pontiac and surrounding towns. Perhaps they, like Lydia, will have their lives transformed and re-directed by the gospel.