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Acts 9:3-4

Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

In a moment! Just like that! A light from heaven and Saul fell to the ground.

Saul was intent on destroying the church, “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.” He made house calls on Christians, dragging men and women off to prison. He approvingly supervised the stoning of Stephen. And he was on his way to Damascus to dispense more damage when God stopped him in his tracks. You know the rest of the story. Saul trusted in Christ, God changed his name to Paul, and the last of the apostles took the message of Jesus throughout the world. And…he wrote thirteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament.

We call a change like Paul’s a “Damascus Road conversion.” A person is blatantly opposed to everything Christian. They have nothing to do with Jesus and breathe hatred to all who follow Christ. Then suddenly God gets their attention. Transformation takes place.

Who do you know that is blatantly opposed to Christianity? Think of three people that need a “Damascus Road” experience? Write their name down on a piece of paper or in your smartphone notes. Put them on your prayer list. I know what you’re saying, “That person will never come to Christ!” That’s the same thing they said about Paul.

Talking to God

Father, help me obey the command of Jesus to love my enemies and pray for them. I ask that you transform the life of (name the person) just like you transformed Paul. Give (name the person) a Damascus Road experience. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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