9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.

The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” (ESV)

Is there not an overwhelming sense of God writing this story, and the main characters being ‘actors’ in God’s unfolding drama? Peter refused to be treated as if he were the author of this storyline (26). He knew emphatically that he was not. As I heard a preacher say, in the early church the Holy Spirit was ‘President’ and not just ‘resident’. It feels like people are having to run hard to keep up with Him.

This is a remarkable story of God speaking clearly and people responding promptly, and willingly. Peter had his own deep rooted convictions and prejudices, but he was open enough to the Holy Spirit to be ”shown” a different way (and sufficiently honest to admit it).

It appears that Peter was praying as part of his daily routine. Such times can feel uninspiring and mundane. Not every day in prayer is going to turn out like this one did for Peter and Cornelius. There will be many (seemingly) ordinary days. But it is in the faithful, regular habit of prayer that we are likely to be ”shown” things by God. Prayer, after all, is not a monologue but a dialogue, and what God says to us is more important than anything we say to Him. Let’s commit to keep on ‘showing up’ – whether we feel like it or not; whether we feel like we are ‘getting anywhere or not.’ Here are two of many weapons Satan uses against prayer: making us feel it is hum-drum and ineffective. Prayer, however, isn’t just about ‘getting things’ from God, but it is a relationship with Him. Lord, teach US to pray…and never give up!

‘It should be carefully noted that the mental impression which was produced by Peter’s vision was corroborated by the fact of the knocking and inquiring group at Peter’s door. This is God’s invariable method. For us all, as we contemplate taking a new and important step in life, there are the urging of the Spirit, the impression or vision of duty, and the knock or appeal of outward circumstances.’ F.B. Meyer

I have heard it said that verse 33 shows the attitude we should have as churches when we gather for worship. We recognise we are in the presence of God, and we want to hear everything HE has to say to us!