praying effectively: Repent and be baptized (Acts 2, 3, 8, 10, 11)

(Acts 10:43)  Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.

(Acts 3:19)  Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord

(Acts 2:38-40)  Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”

(Acts 11:16)  And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

(Acts 8:36-38)  As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 37 [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we should want to be saved from the perverse world (2:40)

- that we repent our sins to Jesus (2:38, 3:19)

- that we believe in Jesus for our forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation (10:43)

- that as soon as we become believers, we are spiritually baptized by the Holy Spirit, and should be physically baptized as a symbolic testimony to others (2:38, 8:36-37, 11:16)

- that as soon as we become believers, we should realize our spiritual gift/s and use them to serve (2:38)

- that when we stray, we should always return to Jesus (3;19)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for making salvation possible.  And for all of those who become children of God, thank You for giving each of us Your indwelling Holy Spirit, as well as giving each of us spiritual gifts.  Not only have we been given gifts of the Spirit, but the Holy Spirit helps us to use our gifts effectively when we ask.  Help us to remember to ask for guidance and strength in order to glorify God in all that we say and do.

Help us to be obedient to Your will.  Guide all believers to realize the importance of a physical, symbolic baptism with water.  It shows the world that this ceremonial rite does not save us, but it demonstrates how God saves us through Jesus’ work on the cross:  that we have died to sin, in order to have eternal life;  born again as a child of God, we are cleansed by the righteousness of Jesus, the Living Water.

Keep us from evil, help us stay away from the temptations of the world, and guide us and fill us with Your desires.  Amen.