Acts 1:12–26

1:12
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of
Olives (which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away).
13
When they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the upstairs room where they
were staying. Peter and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas,
Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and
Judas son of James were there.
14
All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the
women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
15
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a gathering of about one
hundred and twenty people) and said,
16
“Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold
through David concerning Judas – who became the guide for those who
arrested Jesus –
17
for he was counted as one of us and received a share in this ministry.”
18
(Now this man Judas acquired a field with the reward of his unjust deed,
and falling headfirst he burst open in the middle and all his intestines
gushed out.
19
This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so that in their own
language they called that field Hakeldama, that is, “Field of Blood.”)
20
“For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘
Let his house become deserted,
and let there be no one to live in it’, and
‘Let another take his position of responsibility.’
21
Thus one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time the Lord
Jesus associated with us,
22
beginning from his baptism by John until the day he was taken up from us –
one of these must become a witness of his resurrection together with us.”
23
So they proposed two candidates: Joseph called Barsabbas (also called
Justus) and Matthias.
24
Then they prayed, “Lord, you know the hearts of all. Show us which one of
these two you have chosen
25
to assume the task of this service and apostleship from which Judas turned
aside to go to his own place.”
26
Then they cast lots for them, and the one chosen was Matthias; so he was
counted with the eleven apostles.

One thought:

Corona is a threat to health, economy and many other things. But it is an opportunity to grow in prayer.

Three questions:

How might the Spirit’s arrival change the way we make decisions?

How are you feeling waiting for the Corona situation to end?

Organise a video catch-up with someone to pray

Prayer:

Give thanks for the gift of prayer Ask that God would help us to learn to pray in this time Pray for someone who is struggling to pray

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