Description: Have you ever wondered if God hears the prayers of those who don't yet know Jesus as Savior? In this devotional, we explore the story of Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, and learn how God takes notice of every heart that sincerely seeks Him, making a way for them to hear the saving truth of the Gospel.

Scripture: Acts 10:1-6

Explanation: This passage introduces us to a remarkable man named Cornelius. It's important to understand his position: he was a centurion, an officer in the occupying Roman army, making him a Gentile and an outsider to the Jewish faith. Yet, Scripture describes him as 'devout,' one who 'feared God,' was charitable, and 'prayed to God always.' He believed in the God of Israel but had not yet heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God did not ignore his sincere heart. The angel's words are profound: 'Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God.' Cornelius's piety did not save him, but it caught heaven's attention. God saw a man earnestly seeking righteousness and initiated the divine appointment that would lead to his salvation. This demonstrates that God is actively drawing people to Himself and will move heaven and earth to bring the message of His Son to a heart that is truly open and searching for the truth.

Parable: Let me tell you about a man named Frank. Frank was the plant manager at a large manufacturing facility in Ohio. He was known for being firm but fair, a man of his word. He wasn't a churchgoer; he'd had a bad experience as a kid and never went back. But every morning, before the sun came up, he'd sit in his worn leather chair with a cup of black coffee and just talk to the sky. He didn't know the right words, so he’d just say, 'God, if you're really up there, show me the way. There's got to be more than just this.' He also had a soft spot for the folks on his assembly line. When one of the workers, a young single mother, had her car break down, Frank anonymously paid for the repairs through the HR department. He never sought credit for his charity. One day, a young Christian engineer named David felt a strange prompting, a nudge in his spirit he couldn't shake, to talk to his intimidating boss about his faith. Terrified, but obedient, David knocked on Frank's door after his shift and invited him to a men's steak-and-Scripture night at his church. To David's shock, Frank didn't laugh or get angry. He just looked at David with weary eyes and said, 'Son, I think I've been waiting for this invitation.' That night, Frank heard the clear Gospel message for the first time in his life, and his heart’s longing was finally met in Jesus Christ. God had seen his memorial all along.

Moral: From this, we see a beautiful truth. God is not distant or indifferent. He sees the heart that sincerely seeks Him, and He honors the desire for truth. While good works and prayers cannot earn salvation, they are like a fragrance that rises to heaven, and God in His mercy will always make a way for that seeking soul to hear the saving name of Jesus. As the angel told Cornelius, his prayers were not in vain. 

'And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God.' Acts 10:4 (ASV) 

'For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.' 1 Peter 3:12 (ASV)