Day 15: Open Hearts, Open Homes
SENT: 21-DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING
Open Hearts, Open Homes
Written By: Jide Olukole
Lydia of Philippi Believes in Jesus
11 We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. 12 From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.
Acts 16:11-15
11 We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. 12 From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.
Acts 16:11-15
Growing up, hospitality was a regular part of life in our home, yet I still found it hard to understand. With a family of seven, space was already tight, but my parents often welcomed relatives and friends for long visits. As a child I could not understand why the aunties they invited would stay for weeks. Hospitality felt normal to my parents, but it did not make sense to me at the time.
Yet throughout Scripture we see hospitality modelled again and again. Abraham and Sarah welcomed three strangers into their tent and served them a meal, not realising they were entertaining angels. The Shunammite woman built an upper room so that Elisha had somewhere to stay whenever he travelled through. And Lydia, after the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message, immediately invited Paul and his companions to stay in her home. It was a bold and faith filled welcome.
Jesus Himself lived a life of hospitality. He invited people into His space, shared meals with them, walked with them, taught them, and gave His life for them. His ministry was an open invitation.
The gospel is God’s hospitality toward us. Ephesians tells us that we are no longer foreigners and strangers but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household. If God has welcomed us into His family, how can we withhold welcome from others?
Only as I grew older, both hosting and being hosted, did I see the blessing of true hospitality. Spontaneous worship, honest conversations, prayer, encouragement, and deep connection often happen in homes that are open to the Lord and to others.
Yet throughout Scripture we see hospitality modelled again and again. Abraham and Sarah welcomed three strangers into their tent and served them a meal, not realising they were entertaining angels. The Shunammite woman built an upper room so that Elisha had somewhere to stay whenever he travelled through. And Lydia, after the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message, immediately invited Paul and his companions to stay in her home. It was a bold and faith filled welcome.
Jesus Himself lived a life of hospitality. He invited people into His space, shared meals with them, walked with them, taught them, and gave His life for them. His ministry was an open invitation.
The gospel is God’s hospitality toward us. Ephesians tells us that we are no longer foreigners and strangers but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household. If God has welcomed us into His family, how can we withhold welcome from others?
Only as I grew older, both hosting and being hosted, did I see the blessing of true hospitality. Spontaneous worship, honest conversations, prayer, encouragement, and deep connection often happen in homes that are open to the Lord and to others.
Reflect
Who is God calling you to welcome, pray with, or encourage so that His presence can be felt through simple, intentional hospitality?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for showing hospitality to us and welcoming us into Your family. Help us open our hearts and homes so that others may experience Your love through us. Amen.
Posted in SENT: 21-Days of Prayer and Fasting