Sometimes I forget that God doesn’t wait for me (us) to launch a program before he can work in people’s lives. He is at work all the time. In Acts 10 a story is told from two points of view: one from Cornelius and one from Peter. God spoke to Cornelius and thanked him for his generosity and told him to look for a man named Peter.
The story then shifts to Peter’s point of view: he has a vision that challenges his belief about clean and unclean foods. This challenge prepared Peter to go to Cornelius’s home and eat with a Gentile. The point is, of course, God prepared the hearts of both men; and he still prepares hearts of people he wants us to visit and ‘eat with.’
Are we open to those opportunities that have been prepared by God for us?
sermon: Prayer prepares us for mission (Acts 10, 16:13-15) with Rev. David Donaldson
Follow-up Questions
- Who is the “impossible person” or situation in your life that you may have given up praying for? What would it look like to begin praying again, trusting that God is already at work where you cannot see?
- Peter needed a paradigm shift before he could join God in what He was doing. Are there any cultural assumptions, personal preferences, or “the way we’ve always done things” attitudes that might be preventing you from seeing where God is leading today?
- This week, how can you create intentional space for prayer and discernment so that you are better prepared to recognize and respond to the divine appointments God may place in your path?
Reflection: Where have you recently seen evidence that God was already at work before you arrived, and how might that change the way you approach ministry, relationships, and the future of Mimico Baptist Church?
We’re Not In This Alone: Seeing Where God Is Already at Work
Estimated reading time: 3-4 minutes
Have you ever felt like everything depends on you?
Maybe you’ve looked at your family, your neighbourhood, your church or someone you care about and thought, “How am I supposed to make a difference?”
The book of Acts reminds us of a powerful truth: We are not in this alone.
God cares. God is active. God is already at work in people’s lives before we ever arrive. Our role is not to do His job. Our role is to join Him in what He is already doing.
God Goes First
In Acts 10, we meet a Roman centurion named Cornelius. He prayed, gave generously and wanted to know God more deeply.
One afternoon while praying, Cornelius received a message from God: send for Peter. At the same time, God was also preparing Peter.
This was important because Peter was Jewish and Cornelius was a Gentile. In Peter’s world, those groups didn’t normally mix. Before Peter could help Cornelius, God had to change Peter’s thinking.
God was working on both sides of the conversation. That is often how God works. He prepares the opportunity, and He prepares us for the opportunity.
Prayer Helps Us Notice
When many of us pray for discernment, we ask God, “What should we do?”
That’s a good prayer.
But Acts 10 suggests another question: “God, where are You already working?”
Instead of asking only for new ideas, we can ask God to open our eyes to what He is already doing around us.
- Who is searching for hope?
- Who is asking spiritual questions?
- What needs in our community are already opening doors for the gospel?
Prayer helps us notice God’s activity so we can partner with Him.
Be Ready for Divine Interruptions
The story of Peter and Cornelius also teaches us that prayer often prepares us for unexpected moments. Peter was praying when God challenged his assumptions and expanded his understanding of who could receive the gospel.
Sometimes God interrupts our plans.
Sometimes He asks us to step outside our comfort zone.
Sometimes He changes the way we think.
Those moments can feel uncomfortable, but they often become the very opportunities God uses to accomplish His purposes.
Lydia’s Story
We see the same pattern in Acts 16.
Paul met a woman named Lydia while looking for a place of prayer. As Paul shared the message of Jesus, Scripture says: “The Lord opened her heart” to respond.
Again, God was the active agent. Paul was faithful to show up. God did the heart work. That truth should encourage every believer. We cannot change people, but God can.
Two Simple Prayers
As we begin a new ministry season, consider praying these two prayers regularly:
1. Pray for the “impossible people.”
Who are the people in your life who seem far from God? Pray for them by name. Ask God to move where you cannot.
2. Pray for spiritual awareness.
Ask God to show you where He is already working and how you can join Him.
A Simple Rhythm of Prayer
One practical challenge is to pause and pray three times each day:
- Morning: Dedicate your day to God.
- Midday: Pray for people who need hope, comfort and Jesus.
- Evening: Thank God for specific ways He was present throughout the day.
These intentional pauses help us remain connected to God and attentive to His leading.
Final Thought
Prayer does not simply change circumstances. Often, prayer changes our awareness. It helps us see where God is already moving. The good news is that God is already at work in our community, in our church, and in the lives of people around us.
We’re not in this alone. God goes before us, prepares the way, and invites us to join Him.