He Is Praying...

The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. [Acts 9.11]

We all know the story - Saul of Tarsus was a zealous and religious man who opposed the Way of Christ and His followers. He was so zealous in fact that he had gained quite the reputation for his persecution of Christians. He was a forceful and feared man.

But all of that changed for Saul of Tarsus as he was traveling to Damascus one day to further wreak havoc among those had chosen to follow the man Jesus and the ways of Christianity. God intervened is Saul's life - we all know the story - he was changed.

Changed. Now there is a word to consider.

What does change look like? What DOES change look like?

For most of us, coming to Christ made a difference in the way we do things. The first and most obvious thing we all think of is that we either started going to church and at least started going to church with a different purpose.

Many of us started or tried to start reading the Bible. Many of us quit or tried to quit smoking. Many of us quit or tried to quit alcohol. Many of us quit or tried to quit promiscuity. Many of us changed or tried to change friends. Many of us started or tried to start witnessing. Many of us changed or tried to change careers. Many of us changed or tried to change locations. Many of stopped or tried to stop cursing.

How would or should we prioritize the list above? I cannot say for sure, but I can deduce from scripture what might be most important to God Himself. Read the scripture above again:

The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. [Acts 9.11]

King James Version: And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

New International Version: The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.

New King James Version: So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.

If we will notice, God - God Himself - did not tell Ananias that Saul had quit persecuting Christians. He did not tell Ananias that Saul had started even helping Christians and doing good. NO! God told Ananias that Saul WAS PRAYING!

So? What change is it that seems to make God notice? Prayer.