Acts 9:32-43

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord's people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

Questions to consider:

• Who heals the paralyzed man? What is the result?
• What are some of the good works and acts of love of Tabitha?
• What good works and acts of love will you today, and throughout this week?
• What evidences that Peter raises Tabitha to life by the power of God? What is the result?
• Has anyone ever believed in God after seeing His power in your life?

Possibilities for prayer:

This passage says a lot to me about prayer. Imagine if no one had taken the risk of going to get Peter, of having faith that something could be done for Dorcas! But through faith, Dorcas is healed, raised from the dead. Through this act, many others are brought to faith as well. Let’s take some time to pray that we would be acting out faith in our lives, and that those acts of faith would be inspirational, bringing others closer to God.