Miracles | Midyear Prayer, Fasting, and Consecration (Family Devotional)نموونە

CONNECT

God works through the preaching of the gospel and the miracles that come with doing so. One way of seeing God work is through prayer. Today, for our activity, we will make a prayer list.

Prepare:

• Bond paper or light-colored construction paper
• Dark-colored construction paper
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pencil or pen
• Coloring materials
• Glue or tape
• Other materials for decoration (optional)

What to do:

1. Select two pieces of paper: one light-colored and another one that’s dark-colored for the border.
2. Take the paper you chose for the border.
3. Using a ruler and a pencil, from the edge of the paper, mark out one and half inches on all sides, creating an even rectangle in the center of the paper.
4. Gently fold the construction paper evenly in the center. Try not to press too hard on the sides so it won’t leave a mark on the border. Use the scissors to cut out the center rectangle marks leaving a perfect rectangle frame.
5. Decorate the frame with crayons, pentel pen, paper, or other materials. Be creative!
6. Take the frame and paste it evenly on the light-colored paper.
7. On the light-colored paper write the words “Prayer List” on top.
8. Write down the names of people you want to pray for. Post your prayer list in a place where you can see it every day and pray for them.

Did you know that God can bring healing, change, and miracles through our prayers? God asked Ananias to lay hands on someone for healing. But, what if that someone is not a friend or has not treated you well in the past?

READ THE WORD

Have you ever met someone that seemed strange or different? Have you ever encountered a bully?

What if one day, God asks you to reach out to someone like that? Could you obey God in that situation?

In the Bible, God asked a disciple named Ananias to something similar in Acts 9:10–19:

In Damascus there was a believer named Ananias. The Lord called out to him in a vision. “Ananias!” he said. “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. Ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. In a vision Saul has seen a man come and place his hands on him. That man’s name is Ananias. In the vision, Ananias placed his hands on Saul so he could see again.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I’ve heard many reports about this man. They say he has done great harm to your holy people in Jerusalem. Now he has come here to arrest all those who worship you. The chief priests have given him authority to do this.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will announce my name to the Gentiles and to their kings. He will also announce my name to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for me.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. He placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “you saw the Lord Jesus. He appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He has sent me so that you will be able to see again. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Right away something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. And he could see again. He got up and was baptized. After eating some food, he got his strength back.

God gave Ananias specific instructions to go and meet Saul. God had already given Saul a vision that Ananias would go and heal him. But Saul was no ordinary man. He was a known persecutor of Christians. He approved the execution of Stephen (Acts 8:1–2) and had the authority to capture and imprison all the Christians he had found (Acts 9:1–2).

It must have sounded crazy to Ananias when he heard this. How could God ask him to risk his life to meet Saul? How could he pray for someone who was hurting the church? But God had a plan and Ananias obeyed. God used Ananias to heal Saul and become His instrument to change Saul’s life.

After this encounter, Saul went to the synagogues, preaching about Jesus and proclaiming the good news (Acts 9:20–22). Everyone was surprised since they knew that Saul had come to Damascus to hurt and arrest Christians.

Saul today is known throughout the world as the apostle Paul. He wrote about a fourth of the New Testament and was a known leader in the early church. God used him to reach the Gentiles and did many miracles through him. The gospel can reach anyone, even those who are opposed to it.

God used an ordinary person like Ananias to do something extraordinary. What do you think would have happened to Saul if Ananias had not obeyed? He would have been stuck in the house blind! He would not have been able to preach the gospel and tell others of God’s love for him. We would not have the New Testament as we know it today. The obedience of Ananias did not only change Saul’s life but changed the lives of many people, even beyond his lifetime.

As God used Ananias to heal Saul, God can use us to make a difference in the lives of others, especially those we are not comfortable with.

HUDDLE

In our Bible story for today, we learned that God used Ananias to heal Saul.

Parents to Kids

2–6 years old

• Do you believe God still does miracles today?
• How can God use you today?

7–12 years old

• Do you believe God can use you to make a difference in the lives of others?
• Is there someone you feel God wants you to reach out to?
• Has there been a time God asked you to do something for Him? What happened?

Kids to Parents

• Have you experienced God asking you to do something you did not like? What happened?
• How do you think God can use you today?

Do you believe the gospel can touch even the hardest of hearts? The story of Saul (who became Paul) is proof that it can! God can use you to touch people’s lives. Just as Ananias obeyed God’s difficult instruction, let us be obedient when there is something God wants us to do. Even if we may be afraid or doubtful of the outcome, we can trust God and His purposes.

PRAY

Dear God, thank You for Ananias’s obedience. His obedience to You became a blessing to many. I pray that You would use me to bless others, just like Ananias was a blessing to Saul. I ask that You would give me the grace and courage to obey You, even if things are hard or don’t make sense. Use me to make a difference in the lives of others. Thank You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

DISCOVER

Who was Ananias?

If not for his obedience to God to go see Saul, Ananias would have been just another one of the many believers at that time. But God called him and he obeyed, without knowing what the results of his obedience would be. He may have been afraid and reluctant at first, but when there was no doubt in his mind what God wanted him to do, he obeyed.

His obedience showed us the kind of love we, as followers of Christ, should have: loyalty to God, humility, and gentleness. We are to show this even to those who we may perceive as an enemy. Ananias did not take credit for his actions nor for the miracle that he performed. Instead, he pointed Saul to Jesus, his Lord. What a blessing this man was!