Learning How To Pray Pt. 29 A Call For Help & A Powerful Prayer

This is the next instance of prayer from the Book of Acts. 

A dear saint of God lived to serve God and others. 

Acts 9:36  Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 

Luke introduces this Christian woman named Dorcas from the Hebrew name Tabitha. Her name means beautiful and comely. 

She spent her life by doing acts of kindness and charity. Her soul was full of love to God and man and her days were filled up with works of piety and mercy.

The word "good" means someone who is joyful, happy and of excellent character. Dorcas specifically had a heart full of love and compassion to meet basic needs of the poor in her community. 

An urgent call to the apostle Peter for help.

Acts 9:37,38  And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38)  And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 

Luke did not tell us how old Dorcas was. Even her holiness and usefulness in serving God and man, could not prevent her from sickness and death. 

The decree of God to Adam "From dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return: (Genesis 3:19), is a decree that must be fulfilled. Our body is sentenced to death, because of sin, though our spirit be alive unto God through the new birth.

The disciples at Lydda heard that Peter was abiding at Joppa, so they sent an urgent message to the apostle to come. 

A vivid testimony of a godly woman serving her Lord. 

Act 9:39  Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 

Joppa was about 45 miles away, but Peter left as soon as he received their call for help. When he arrived, the disciples at Lydda brought the apostle into the upper room, where they had prepared Dorcas' body for burial.

A large number of widows stood by Peter, weeping and grieving for the loss of Dorcas. She ministered to the widow's needs and had greatly endeared herself to them. 

No doubt, Peter was moved at the good testimonies he heard about this Christian woman who had compassion for widows, and helped them so much. 

God commanded His people to take special care of the widows (See Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 10:18; 14:29; 16:11).

Fervent prayer and a powerful answer from God.

Acts 9:40  But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 

Peter had everyone leave the upper room where the body of Dorcas lay. He kneeled down in humility to His Lord, to pray on behalf of this dear saint. 

We do not know the content of Peter's prayer, for the Spirit of God did not see fit to have Luke record them.  

After he finished praying, Peter, full of assurance from Christ, commanded "Tabitha arise." 

Jesus used the same command when He raised people from the dead (See Lazarus, John 11, a young maid (Mark 5:41 and a young man Luke 7:14).

Dorcas opened her eyes and sat up when she saw Peter.  

Peter's confidence that God would answer His prayer. 

Psalm 34:17,18  The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18)  The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 

Peter prayed the kind of prayer that James referred to as the "effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man" that has power at the throne of God (James 5:16). 

Peter remembered the words of Jesus Christ when He told His disciples that He would do anything they asked the Father for in His name (John 14:13-14). 

Peter knew the Psalms' promises that Jehovah hears our prayers and delivers us from our troubles.

Proverbs 15:29  The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 

Peter knew from the Proverbs that Jehovah does not hear the prayers of the wicked, evil doers. However, He draws close to those who trust Him and He hears our prayers.

The impact of Peter's prayer: Wonder and Joy!  

Acts 9:41  And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 

None of the apostles had raised anyone from the dead at this point in the church. Imagine the wonder, and joy when Peter summoned the saints and widows and brought them close to their beloved Dorcas. 

Don't forget that they had prepared her body for burial and knew full well that she had died. 

Yet, their faith in calling for Peter to come was fully justified. That room must have been full of shouts of joy, expressing glory to God for raising His faithful servant back to life. 

The impact of Peter's prayer: Conversions to Christ!

Acts 9:42  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 

Raising Dorcas from the dead had the same powerful impact as when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. News of this great miracle done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, spread like a wildfire. 

More importantly, many people turned to Jesus Christ with repentant faith and were born again into the family of God.

Thoughts to Ponder...

First, when our situation seems hopeless, we must raise our prayers to the throne of God. 

There was no hope for Dorcas because she died and everyone knew that she was dead. 

However, they remembered that their hope is in Christ and His power. They called for the nearest apostle of Jesus Christ and Peter came. 

Second, Dorcas had a wonderful testimony of loving and serving God and others around her. Let each one of us seek to be so in love with Jesus that we too, may be used by Him like Dorcas was used.

Third, Peter prayed fervently and effectively, before he commanded her to arise. No matter how great or challenging our circumstances are, let us spend much time in fervent prayer, before taking any action.

May this beautiful account of events in the early church, strengthen our faith and cause us to seek the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul and might. 

May our Lord Jesus find us faithful, willing servants, pliable clay in the hands of our Master Potter.

Bob