One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” —Acts 16:14-15

The Lord Who Opens Hearts

by Mike Tilley

This is the account of the conversion of Lydia, a business woman in the city of Philippi, selling purple goods. I like the phrase, “the Lord opened her heart.” Isn’t that amazing? The moment you and I believed in Christ for salvation, it was because the Lord opened our hearts. In Lydia’s case, God had been at work in her heart prior to her hearing the gospel. She had been a “worshiper of God” or a “God-fearer.” She had been curious about God and even attended services, but she still needed to hear the gospel message and embrace it. We might wonder if people around us will ever open their hearts, and this could discourage us. But let’s remember that God has others like Lydia out there, whose hearts will be opened by grace. And she and her household were baptized! Later she hosted the fellowship of believers in her home. May the story of Lydia inspire our prayers today.

How to pray today:

Many in our church are longing for their friends and family members to come to faith in Christ. Pray that the Lord will open hearts and that we will have the joy of seeing many believe the good news and be baptized.
Let’s be praying for business owners in Audubon Park, Baldwin Park, and around our city. Perhaps they, like Lydia, will have their lives transformed and re-directed by the gospel.