The River

Down to the River to pray or 

There once was a Ladies prayer group

Acts 16:13-15 ESV

“And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.”

The "we" in the above scripture is Paul, Silas, and Luke. Up until this time the gospel did not permit them to  go into Europe. The Spirit of God had prevented this. Then Paul saw a vision of a Macedonian  man telling him to come over. So they went. 

When they came to Philippi, there was no minion, 10 men required to be a synagogue. So Paul and his companions went outside the gate, down to the river looking for a place and people with which to worship. 

There they found Lydia and a group of women praying. Lydia was a widow, yet a very successful business woman. She was a seller of a rare purple dye. She was wealthy. She owned a large home. She had servants. She was a believer of God. She was influential in organizing this group of praying women. 

This was an organized Women's prayer group, meeting to pray, on the first day of the week. Were they saved?? No, even though they were believers, they had not followed the complete plan of salvation........Until they heard Paul speak. 

Then scripture says that The Lord opened her heart to pay attention.

She invited these men back to her home. Apparently Paul and Silas spoke and taught more because her household believed, were baptized and become a church. Thus began the church of Phillippi that met at the home of Lydia.

Let's pray for open hearts.

For discussion or your personal time:

Do you know anyone who is a believer and worshipper of God but has not completely followed the Plan for Salvation?

Let's pray for God to open their hearts to being receptive.