Acts 16:6-10 (ESV)
The Macedonian Call
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul[a] had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
I have a good friend who often answers invitations to less than desirable activities with, “I’ll pray about it.” For him, “I’ll pray about it” translates to “No, I don’t really want to do that!” I often use it when my wife asks me to fold laundry. I’ve heard others offer up this answer when being invited to participate in ministries at church. I think most people are sincere when they say this, but some are trying to find a polite way to say, “No, I don’t really want to do that.”
This passage in Acts is an interesting story where we see the Spirit of Jesus not allowing Timothy, Paul, Silas and Dr. Luke to enter into Bithynia. We don’t know why or how the Spirit did that; but they clearly saw whatever was keeping them out of that city as the work of the Spirit. This passage does not indicate the group was “[praying continuously]” (1 Thess. 5:17), but Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica indicates what a high priority prayer was for him. When a new opportunity for ministry presented itself in the form of a vision, Paul responded immediately concluding that it was God who was calling them to preach the gospel.
Do we pray continuously so we can see Jesus’ Spirit in the world around us? Do we see pray enough to see doors closing and opening around us as the work of God? When God calls you to serve will you be ready? Take some time and pray about it now so when your call to preach the gospel comes, you’ll be ready for it! Lord willing, the next time someone invites you to participate in a new ministry, your response can be, “I’ve been praying about that!”
Ray Sanchez is the Pastor of Worship and Children’s Discipleship at First Baptist Church Weslaco. DISCLAIMER: Pastor Ray does not equate a pastor’s invitation to ministry with a vision from God; but he personally does need to pray more to better see God at work in the world. This morning he prayed while folding laundry…he usually watches Seinfeld.
Since everyone has been wondering, Pastor Ray is out of the Fantasy Football playoffs this year unless he beats Rene Garcia by over 100 points and Wesloco Nettle Time and Team Gallona lose too. When told of his minuscule chance at making the playoffs, Pastor Ray responded, “I’ll pray about it.”