< <  

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

  > >
Acts 14:19-28
Psalm 145
John 14:27-31

View Readings
Similar Reflections

circle freeway

"His disciples quickly formed a circle about him, and before long he got up and went back into town." —Acts 14:20

Paul's persecutors attempted to kill him by stoning. They "dragged him out of the town, leaving him there for dead" (Acts 14:19). The circle of disciples raised the dead.

We need to form a prayer-circle around "the living dead" in our midst (1 Jn 3:14). Anyone who does not know Jesus is spiritually dead, reaping "the wages of sin" (Rm 6:23). Some churches are dead (Rv 3:1). Some marriages are dead. We can circle these people, churches, and couples, just as Joshua circled Jericho and the walls came tumbling down (Jos 6:20).

We can circle the dead and bring them to life by literally joining our hands, by a week of prayer (as with Jericho), by "praying over" people, by forming a prayer chain or intercessory group. If we but let the Spirit guide us, we can circle our dead planet with life-giving prayer. Let's go around in circles, up in resurrection spirals, into new life, a new life of true freedom.

Prayer:  Father, may the praying hands on earth join in a circle of prayer and risen life.

Promise:  "If you truly loved Me you would rejoice to have Me go to the Father." —Jn 14:28

Praise:  Jane volunteers at a hospice care facility where she has been led by God to help prepare the dying to meet Him.

Reference:  (To receive life-giving prayer, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79, Biblical Counseling, audio AV 13A-l, AV 13A-3, AV 13B-3 or on video starting with V-13A.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2004

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.