Acts 18:24-19:22 | You Don't Need to Know It Allნიმუში

On the cusp of this mini-Pentecost, Paul continues his pattern of speaking boldly and arguing persuasively in the synagogues, and when he’s kicked out, goes to the Gentiles. We find him in a Roman lecture hall, having daily discussions for two years, with Jews and Greeks all over the province hearing the gospel.

Witnessing is often a long-haul effort.

Here, it says God did unusual acts of power through Paul, and here we start to lean into one of those summary statements Acts is famous for. Translated very literally: “In this way the word of the Lord increased and grew strong, according to [God’s] power” (Acts 19:20, NIV).

Circling back to those unusual acts of power. Paul was a tentmaker. That’s hard work. Acts tells us the bandanas he wore to catch his sweat while laboring away and the aprons he wore on the job to protect his clothes were being taken to the sick, and people’s illnesses were cured. Even evil spirits were fleeing from people through them. We saw something similar earlier in Acts when people gathered in the streets hoping Peter’s shadow would fall on them, with the sick being healed and those tormented by evil spirits freed (Acts 5:15-16).

They’re unusual acts. God isn’t often in the habit of taking our shadows and sweaty clothes to do the miraculous. But not so unusual, because more than we probably realize, God takes our prayers to do the miraculous.

God works through prayer. Period. Why? How? When? Those are in God’s hands, and outside our power and ability. But for reasons we don’t fully understand, Jesus tells us to pray on behalf of people, and to trust that God will work through it in his time, his will, and his way.

Try this. Ask someone how you can pray for them. You’ll find that most people are happy to be prayed for, regardless of what they believe. Then pray for them. It doesn’t have to be on the spot. Don’t be afraid to, but you’re also not there to embarrass them. But pray for them every day. Do that for 7-10 days. Then follow up with them again, if you can (and if it’s someone you just met, ask for an email or number so you can). Ask how things are going. Maybe pray again.

You don’t have to know how it works. You just have to trust that God does. Take him at his word on prayer. Let him work as he will. You might be surprised at just how much the word of the Lord will grow strong and increase according to the Lord’s own power.