Prayed Regularly

Today’s Encouragement is, “In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.” Acts 10:1-2 NLT

Prayed Regularly-

Cornelius was a Roman officer, and they were the strongest, toughest, and most intelligent in the army.   But this guy… didn’t worship the Roman gods and goddesses; he didn’t conform to his people’s political and religious beliefs.  Instead, he prayed to the God of the Jewish people!  Amazing!  The faith of these people deeply touched him, and he prayed to their God and even contributed financially to the poor among them!  He was a foreigner, an occupying force, and to the Jews, he was the representative of oppression, a heathen, pagan man to be despised, so much that a Jew would not enter the same room with him.  (Can you say prejudice?)

But God-

God spoke to His servant Peter in a beautiful, clear, powerful vision (Acts 10:9-20) and revealed to him that anyone who believes in the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved (Acts 16:31)!

Cornelius prayed regularly.  This was before He ever heard of Jesus, before Peter visited, preached, and baptized him and his household! 

Now consider – How much more fervently, regularly, and devotedly Cornelius prayed – the day after Peter left his home. 

Father God, help us to pray, trusting, knowing You hear us, even when we don’t see the results or get what we pray for right away. Help us to persist in prayer (Luke 18:1) and to pray regularly, at all times (Ephesians 6:18). We ask in Jesus’ Name.

Don’t Stop Praying

Matthew West