Acts 9:10-16

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 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. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

We are now introduced to a man named Ananias. The scripture records that he was a disciple living in Damascus…his life was about to be intertwined into the life of Saul forever. Listen, God uses people to present the gospel…not animals, not inanimate objects, and not angels. He uses us to proclaim His grace and mercy. He uses us as witnesses…

Saul heard the good news from a complete stranger that he had planned to destroy. Saul didn’t believe in Jesus because he truly had never had an experience with Christ. But now, in the hands of a common man, Saul finds himself blind and helpless. Instead of a spirit of revenge, Saul finds mercy, grace, and love. He finds compassion in the hands of Ananias and he hears the gospel for the first time.

I love the work of prayer in these scriptures…Saul was found praying by Ananias. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? If you are struck blind by a flash of light and hear a large audible voice you’d be praying too. It was Saul’s defense mechanism…it should be your defense mechanism. Saul’s stress and anxiety was combated by prayer. Prayer here is the key to these passages. Saul is praying. Ananias is praying. God is speaking to both of them through prayer in the form of a vision. Sometimes we miss having a grand vision because we don’t have the prayer life that opens the coax connection between us and God…and this is a vision you don’t want to miss! You don’t want to miss the vision that it’s fallen into your hands to go and witness the gospel of Jesus to the greatest enemy of the church at that time. If you miss that opportunity heads literally roll…people go to prison…wives become widows…children become orphans. You can’t miss that vision…or is it that we are afraid of a vision like Ananias’s?