Acts Chapter 16 recounts when Paul and Timothy visited Philippi while on a missionary journey. The Scripture tells us that they went to the city gates anticipating that they would find people there praying. When they arrived, they found a group of women gathered. One of these women was Lydia, whose deep faith in Christ began that day.

It was logical that Paul and Timothy would have gone to the city gates to meet people with whom they could share the news of Jesus Christ. In biblical times, the city gates were a place of gathering and business. It was a place where the powerful could be found and where decisions were made. It was to this place of power, decision, and gathering that Paul and Timothy brought the news of Christ that day. They found a group of women-and at least one of those women was radically transformed.

Today’s city gates have expanded and enable us to connect all around the world. Just as Paul and Timothy sought to bring the power of Christ to the place where people were gathered, so do we. It is our prayer that in this space on the internet, the power of Christ will be manifest in the prayers of women from around the world.

I am honored to recommend a new site to you called PrayerGates.com. I am not the creator of the site, but was recently invited to write a devotional for the site’s launch. I love the purpose behind the site and the vision to offer an online gathering place for women to create and/or join prayer communities.  If you get a chance, stop by and take a look around. While you’re there, be sure to check out my devotional called, “Court is in Session.”

In the devotional, I talk about the need to invite God to “examine our hearts” in an effort to judge our motives and affections (Psalm 26:2). As I have put this habit into “active practice” over the last several months, God has lovingly called attention to some areas of my heart that are in much need of improvement. The process of addressing His findings has been painful at times, but to continue on a path of ignorance would be far more devastating in the long run.

Though I’ve taught and written on God’s amazing grace for many years, I am gaining an even deeper understanding of this gift as I open my heart up to God and invite Him to “take a look around.” Our hearts should be in a constant state of renovation. Fortunately, He’s not the least bit intimidated by the barricades and “Under Construction” signs along the way. (Click here to visit PrayerGates.com).