1. Why do you suppose that so many believers live as if they are unbelievers in Godâs power? Perhaps, this is one of the saddest ironies of life. In this passage, Peter gives us two examples of a person who confidently prayed for God’s power to accomplish what appeared to be impossible.
Peter and Aeneas were both aware of Jesus, but only Peter saw in Jesus the power to bring healing. Begin to ask God to give you more perceptive vision to see in Him all the power to accomplish great things.
Application: Trust the Lord to help you not to miss out on the blessings God wants to give. Pray with greater faith, vision and understanding of Godâs character.
2. Peter’s prayer brought the healing of God because He identified a person who was willing to acknowledge his suffering and spiritual need. Many people do not experience the benefits of powerful prayer because they are not willing to approach God with a contrite, humble and repentant heart.
Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a physician but those who are sick." (Luke 5:31) Be willing to admit that you are hurting and need a touch of God’s healing.
Application: Ask the Lord to help you to find people who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness for they are the ones who will get spiritual satisfaction. (Matt. 5:6)
3. Peter spoke to Aeneas as if Jesus were present in the same room. Practice the presence of God in your prayers. David wrote, "In His presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand are pleasures for evermore." (Psa. 16:11)
Application: Too many people are not in close communion with the Lord so they are not able to communicate with God in the power of the Spirit. Ask the Lord to help you stay abiding in the vine so your prayers can bear much fruit. (John 15:5-16)
4. Peter ministered with the confidence that Jesus Christ makes a person whole. The apostle prayed with the confident expectation that Jesus could restore Aeneas to complete spiritual, emotional and physical health. Stop praying feeble prayers of unbelief.
James wrote, "Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:6)
Application: Ask with confidence using God’s power and promises.
5. Peter ministered with the confirming power of Godly elders. James wrote, "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith wills save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." (James 5:14,15)
Application: Be sure that the people you are praying for are willing to confess and forsake their sins so God is given free reign to do what He likes with that individual. Ask the Lord to help you pray in the company and with the cooperation of Godly elders.
6. Peter appropriated all the power of Christâs statements and life to this needy individual. Pray in a way that appropriates the full power of Christâs promises and personage.
Praise the Lord for all of His goodness, graciousness, love, strength, omnipotence and wisdom. Begin and end your prayers with special thanksgiving for all the good things we find in Christ Jesus. Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God ö while keeping in mind all of His truth, loveliness, nobility, justice, purity, and praiseworthiness.
Ask the Lord to help you pray using the formula found in Philippians 4:6-8.
7. Peter does not wait to be asked to pray for Christâs healing. Aeneas does even have time to ask Peter for healing when the apostle prays in the Name of Jesus Christ. Christ’s love is not restricted to those who explicitly ask for it.
There are many who are suffering in silence. Trust the Lord to help you to initiate prayer for those who are hurting.
8. Peter saw many come to Christ as a result of his prayers. Dr. Luke wrote, "So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord." (Acts 9:36)
Application: Trust God to use your prayers to bring many to Christ and to begin house fellowships that will multiply.
