A Prayer for the Spirit of Tabitha
"Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them." - Acts 9:36-39
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude and reverence for Your goodness and mercy. As we reflect on the story of Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, in Acts 9:36-39, we are moved by her life, a life marked by service, compassion, and good deeds. Lord, we are reminded that You call each of us to live a life of purpose, just as Tabitha did.
Father, we thank You for the blessings of community and for the disciples that were gathered in Joppa. Just as the community grieved for Tabitha in her time of sickness and death, may we also honor and cherish those around us who pour out their love and kindness through their actions. Tabitha was not just a woman; she was a disciple, a servant, a beacon of hope and love in her community. Help us, Lord, to emulate her spirit and fill our lives with good works, that we might touch the lives of those around us with the love of Christ.
In Your divine providence, You have placed us in communities where our actions can have a profound impact. Lord, we ask for courage to step up and serve those in need around us, just as Tabitha did. May we be known not for our status or wealth but for our acts of kindness, for our willingness to give generously to those who are less fortunate, to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, and to be a shoulder to cry on in times of distress.
We are inspired by the earnestness of the disciples who, upon learning of Tabitha's death, immediately sought out Peter. They understood the power and importance of faith and community working together to bring about healing. Lord, instill in us a similar urgency to intercede for one another in prayer. May we lift each other up, turning towards You in our most difficult times, trusting that our cry does not go unheard.
Just as Peter was brought to the upper chamber where the widows wept and mourned, we pray that You would lead us to those who are hurting. Help us to comfort those in sorrow, to be present in their time of need, and to show the love of Christ. As the widows displayed the garments that Tabitha had made, may our good works speak for us when we are in the presence of those who seek to understand the essence of our faith. Let our lives be as living symbols of Your love, reflecting Your glory in the simple acts we perform.
Lord, we also pray that our acts of service would not go unnoticed or unappreciated, but rather that they would shine a light in this world of darkness. Help us to recognize the value in serving others and to understand that, through our kindness and love, we can lead others to encounter Your grace.
If there are those among us who are struggling with their health or circumstances, we ask for Your healing hand to be upon them. Just as Tabitha faced sickness and death, we acknowledge that suffering is part of life, but we also know that You are the resurrection and the life. Fill us with hope in Your promises. Lord, we ask that You grant wisdom to those who care for the sick, and strength to those who carry the burdens of the weary.
In the spirit of revival and restoration, we cry out for Your presence to bring healing and new life, not just in our bodies but also in our spirits and communities. Help us to be vessels of Your love and hope.
As we continue to honor the memory of Tabitha, may we also be inspired to be like her, filled with good works and almsdeeds, ever ready to lend a hand to those in need. Guide us as we strive to live in such a way that our lives are a testimony of Your amazing grace. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
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Acts 9:36-39 Artwork
Acts 9:36-39 - "In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them."
"In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them." - Acts 9:36-39
Acts 9:36 - "¶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did."
Exodus 39:36 - "The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread,"
Acts 9:39 - "Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them."
"The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread," - Exodus 39:36
Acts 21:36 - "For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him."
"¶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did." - Acts 9:36
Acts 27:36 - "Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat."
Acts 16:39 - "And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city."
Acts 19:39 - "But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly."
Acts 5:39 - "But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."
Genesis 36:39 - "And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab."
Mark 9:36-37
Acts 7:39 - "To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,"
Job 39:9 - "Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?"
Acts 13:39 - "And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."
Acts 20:36 - "¶ And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all."
Acts 19:36 - "Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly."
Acts 27:39 - "And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship."
Acts 2:39 - "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
Acts 10:39 - "And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:"
Judges 9:39 - "And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech."
Acts 4:36 - "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,"
2 Kings 15:36 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 kings 9:34-36
Psalms 39:9 - "I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it."
Genesis 36:9 - "¶ And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir:"
Peter raises Tabitha from the dead
Acts 15:39 - "And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;"