Prayer At The Right Time

There are people all around us that are in need, and broken.

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When is the right time to pray?  Is there a right time?  Yes, pray! Anytime, is the right time, when God meets us in prayer.  

Prayer and worship were at the heart of temple-life in Jerusalem.  There were three designated prayer times for the Jewish community: 9:00 am, 3:00 pm, and at sunset.   

Peter and John were going up to the temple at the 3:00 pm time of prayer, one day.  At the same time, “A man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful.”  (Acts 3: 2)  This man was carried there every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.  This day, it was different.  He met the miracle-working power and love of God.  

What was the man asking for?  “When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.”  (Acts 3: 3)  

How did Peter and John look at the beggar?   They looked straight at him.  “Then Peter said, “Look at us!  So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.”  (Acts 3: 4-5)  

  • How do we look at a beggar or homeless person?  
  • Do we see them or do we see beyond them?  
  • Do we see them through the eyes of Jesus and His love, or do we see them through another lens?

I love how Peter tells the man to “Look at us!”  He wanted to see his eyes, to see him as a person whom Jesus loves.  The man gave Peter and John his attention expecting something.   

  • There’s a special something Jesus wants to release through us.  

That day, the man came to beg for money.  Jesus came to release healing, through Peter and John.  Jesus wasn’t visibly present, but His power was!  The power of the Holy Spirit had just been poured out on them.  

We learned in the last chapter, they had positioned themselves to prayer, teaching and fellowship.  They were beginning to see the fruit of their discipline and the power of the Spirit of God within their lives.  Things were happening and life will never be the same!  

It was a normal day for that beggar, who remains nameless, unfortunately.  Peter says to him, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!”  (Acts 3: 6)  

  • Healing occurs in the name of Jesus.  
  • Peter and John were now walking in the name of Jesus.  
  • The crippled beggar was given what they have–a new life walking in the name of Jesus. 

Remember, this man had to be carried into the temple.  He couldn’t walk.  They gave him a new walk, literally and spiritually.  

Then, “Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk.”  (Acts 3: 7-8)  Yes, he had a new walk with the Lord and a new walk in life.  

Did they leave him there?  No, they welcomed him into “The temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God.”  (Acts 3: 8)  

  • Rejoice with those who rejoice.  

There are people all around us that are in need, and broken.  We are to recognize them and see them through the eyes of Jesus.  Ask Him to give you His eyes.  When you do, you will see your entire life through His lenses, not your own.  

The people recognized him as the same man, who used to sit begging at the temple gate called “Beautiful.”  (Acts 3: 10)    

Interesting name for a gate.  I was curious about that word, so I looked up the Greek word for beautiful which is horaios.  It can be defined as:

  1. Happening or coming at the right time.
  2. Beautiful, fair, and lovely.

Of course, I liked the first definition because what just happened at that gate.  Yes, everyone came at the right time!  It was a Kairos moment in time, a God moment!  

Well, Peter saw that the people were gawking and then he says, “Why do you stare at us as if our own power or Godliness we made this man walk?  By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.  It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”  (Acts 3: 12, 16)  

  • When you need to speak to the onlookers, always point them to Jesus, to give Him the glory.  

The people were filled with wonder and amazement at what just happened.  They had seen this man crippled for probably a long time.  But today, at the right time something happened!   

Oh, how I long to see the cripple walk, the blind see and the lost saved.  Not to just see the miracle, but to see folks completely restored and made new, in Jesus; so they can walk into new life as the beggar did.  It’s fascinating to me that the first miracle that is written about for Peter and John is for a man to walk in new life.  Salvation came to the man by the way of healing.  

  • Signs and wonders follow those who believe.  We don’t need to follow them.  
  • Going up to the place of worship and prayer was the gateway for signs, and wonders to occur.  Oh, that’s beautiful! 

Job could have used that same healing power from his friends.  He sarcastically says to them, “Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.  (Job 12: 1)   He continues,  “Ask the animals, and they will teach you…  (Job 12: 7) 

He pulls himself together and releases truth, “In His (God’s) hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.”   (Job 12: 9, 13))   

The beggar saw God’s power and His care!  In our time of prayer trust in the voice of the Lord, He will speak, counsel, and guide with wisdom.  He will keep our hearts pure and urge us to “Purge any evil that is among us.” (Deuteronomy 17: 7)  

As a result, you may find yourself laying your hands on someone who is sick, and see them walk into new life!  Salvation is waiting at the entrance gate, it is the gateway to new life!  Hallelujah!  

(Acts 3, Job 12, Deuteronomy 17-18, Modified)

 

 

 

 


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About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com