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 (when Peter was in Lydda), 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. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. (Acts 9:36-40a)
I love the song by Jaci Velasquez, I Get On My Knees. She sings, “I get on my knees. There I am before the love that changes me. See, I don’t know how, but there’s power when I’m on my knees.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm1lW2RZD5k
I, too, feel more of God’s power when I pray on my knees. Maybe because it’s a humbling position. James 4:6 tells us: “God shows favor to the humble.”
Peter also feels more of God’s power when he’s on his knees praying. He sent all the widows from the room so he could be alone with God in that humble position. With all his being he wanted to bring Tabitha back to life after she had been dead for two to three days (Joppa was a day’s walk from Lydda), not necessarily because she was always doing good and made clothes for the poor widows. Healing isn’t about keeping one person alive. It’s about changing the lives of many people who will come to know that Jesus saves.
Father God, I praise you because You have the power to save. Tonight I’m on my knees praying for myself and loved ones who need Jesus to save them from negative thoughts, wrong ideas, poor health, addictions, depression, and poor self-esteem. In the name of Jesus, heal us. Through His love, change me. In Christ’s name, I pray, amen.