Today is October 31 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
 
Today’s reading is from the book of Acts, chapter 8.  
 
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 
  
Samaria is north of Jerusalem, a little over 100km away. Googlemaps says it would have taken about 25 hours to walk from one place to the other. And yet, Peter and John set out – walking day and night – so that they could pray for the new believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We often read this passage and think about it in light of baptism of the spirit… but would you instead reflect on their sacrifice for other believers in Jesus. What would it take for you to consider walking 25 hours to lay hands on and pray for someone? What comes to mind as you consider this intentional, encouraging visit from an established church, to a new community of believers? 
  
Listen again, and put yourself in the place of these new believers in Samaria. They’ve given themselves to the name of Jesus… but in some sense, it seems they’ve not yet fully understood the implications of that, or what it meant to be filled with the Spirit. Imagine their joy at seeing Peter and John, walking into town. Consider their increase of faith as they received prayer, and were drawn into this fellowship of believers. Listen to the scripture again, and pay attention not only to the words, but to what the experience itself must have been like. 
 
Because Christians become a part of a new body – the body of Christ – we are called to not only the Lord, but to one another. To walk toward one another, and towards fellowship. As we close our time of prayer, ask yourself, How deeply connected are you to Christ’s body? How often are you praying for others or receiving prayer through others? Speak to the Lord about your own desires or hesitations about being connected to the body of Christ. Some of you may thank God for the relationships you have. Some might feel hurt or wary. Talk to God and ask him to show you your place in the body of Christ.  
 
Music: "Familia" - Vineyard Worship 
FAMILIA [Official Live In Studio] | Feat. Tina Colón Williams | Vineyard Worship