PETER . . . KNEELED DOWN, AND PRAYED

Following the conversion of Saul the churches enjoyed a period of rest. Throughout all Judea, Samaria, and Galilee the work continued to grow. Souls were saved, saints were edified, all were encouraged and comforted, and journeying became easier and safer for the apostles. In these conditions Peter travelled westward to the Mediterranean coast and eventually arrived at Lydda, some ten miles from Joppa; towns which are perhaps better known today as Lod and Tel Aviv.

It was while he was there, that two men arrived from Joppa with an urgent request from the believers there. A highly respected and much-loved sister in Christ, named Dorcas (or, in Aramaic, Tabitha) had fallen sick and had died. Did Peter come without delay? Yes. He went with the messengers to Joppa. The body had been washed and prepared for burial and was laid in an upper chamber. So many women were there, in tears. Widows were weeping, and anxious to show the garments which the beloved Dorcas had made for them while she was alive. She had been full of good works. How they would miss her!

As the Saviour had done at the house of Jairus, Peter asked them all to leave. He had been at the house of Jairus, and with John and James had been allowed to stay in the room when the others were sent out. Then, in the loneliness of the death-chamber, Peter kneeled down. To confront ‘the last enemy’ it was necessary for him to pray, 1 Cor. 15. 26. It was not in the Apostle’s power to raise the dead, but, with trust in the God, who was the living God, Peter commanded Dorcas, ‘Tabitha, arise’. She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He gave her his hand, lifted her up, and presented her alive to the saints and widows.

It is a lovely story, of which our text is a central part, Peter ‘kneeled down, and prayed’. TENNYSON said, ‘More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of’. As news of the miracle spread rapidly throughout Joppa and the surrounding area, it is scarcely to be wondered at that many believed. And Peter tarried among them in Joppa for many days.