Thoughts for the Day

Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs.

Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, 'Please come to us without delay.' So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Tabitha had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, 'Tabitha, get up.' Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today, in the middle of a pandemic it is tempting to think that all healing is done by Doctors and nursing staff, and I would be the first to agree that their work is vital. But perhaps we forget that God has a hand in who is healed.

We need to notice in today's reading that Tabitha has died. She has been washed and laid out, and only after this do the Christians send for Peter, who is in Lydda. This is about a 27 mile round trip in the heat of Palestine. When Peter arrives he puts everyone present out of the room, and then in the peace and quiet of this little upstairs room he prays. We can only guess at his prayer, but God answers it, and Tabitha is restored to life.

As Christians we should be putting our gifts into practice. We should be praying for everyone who is sick - regularly, continually - and we should update our prayers periodically as peopl's situations change. Just because we live in 21st century and not the 1st century it doesn't mean that God won't answer our prayer.

Thursday 3rd September, follow up thoughts

Heavenly father,
we pray today for all who are sick,
whatever their ailment,
and wherever they may be.
We ask that You will heal them
returning them to their normal life
if it be Your will.
We pray especially for ..............
and for those in our locality
who may be unknown to us.
Amen.