When You Are the Answer to Prayer - Acts 9 Sermon

Summary of Acts 9 Sermon

In Acts 9:10–19, we meet Ananias—a faithful disciple who, despite his fear, responds to God’s call to help Saul of Tarsus. This passage invites us to consider a powerful truth: prayer isn’t only about asking; sometimes, we are the answer God sends in response to someone else’s cry for help.

Introduction

You might be thinking, “Wait a minute—hasn’t he already preached on prayer?” You’re right. Just a few months ago, I preached a sermon called “The Hope of Our Prayer” from Luke 11, where Jesus tells a parable about a man persistently knocking on a neighbor’s door for bread. We explored how persistence matters, but ultimately, our confidence in prayer rests in God’s goodness.

That sermon focused on being the asker. We all come to God with real and pressing needs. You might have three things you’re praying about right now—and it’s right to bring them to God with trust and boldness.

But prayer isn’t just about asking. There’s another side to it:

Sometimes we are the answer.

Jesus tells us to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NRSV). That light is not just belief—it’s action. It’s our choices, our presence, our willingness to say yes to God.

Which brings us to a remarkable moment in the book of Acts—one person is the asker. The other is the answer.

Verse by Verse Breakdown of Acts 9:10–19 and Commentary

Acts 9:10–12 – Ananias Hears the Call

“Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’” (Acts 9:10–12, NRSV)

We open with two faithful people—one praying, one listening. Saul of Tarsus, who had persecuted the early church, has encountered the risen Christ and is now blind and shaken. He’s in a house on Straight Street, fasting and praying, rethinking everything.

God speaks to Ananias in a vision, calling him to be the answer to Saul’s prayer. God could have used lightning or angels—but instead, He sends a regular disciple.

The first side of prayer is petition. But here we glimpse the second: God answering through a person.

Acts 9:13–14 – Ananias Pushes Back

“But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’” (Acts 9:13–14, NRSV)

Ananias is understandably hesitant. Saul has a reputation—he’s not just opposed to Christians; he’s dangerous.

This is a pivotal moment. Ananias has every reason to decline. Fear. Risk. Confusion. But instead of outright saying no, he voices his concern honestly. And God doesn’t dismiss it.

There’s grace here. Being the answer to prayer doesn’t mean we have to pretend we aren’t afraid. It means being open, even when uncertain.

Acts 9:15–16 – God Gives Ananias Perspective

“But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’” (Acts 9:15–16, NRSV)

God invites Ananias into a bigger story—one he couldn’t possibly see on his own. Saul, the persecutor, is going to become Paul, the apostle.

We may not see the full picture when God asks us to act. But that doesn’t make our role less vital. Ananias is being asked to help launch the ministry of the most influential missionary in church history.

God doesn’t need Ananias to know everything. He just needs him to go.

Acts 9:17–19 – Ananias Obeys and Saul is Healed

“So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” (Acts 9:17–19, NRSV)

This is one of the most powerful moments in Acts. Ananias, likely terrified, still shows up. He calls Saul “Brother.”That’s grace. That’s community. That’s obedience.

The transformation is immediate—sight restored, Spirit received, baptism embraced.

And it all began with prayer. And the courage of one ordinary believer who said yes.

Acts 9:10–19 Meaning for Today

This passage is more than history—it’s a pattern. God still answers prayers through people. Through you.

Somewhere near you, someone is praying:

• “God, help me make it through this week.”

• “God, I feel so alone.”

• “God, I need hope.”

And God just might be tapping you on the shoulder in response.

When we collect water and juice for those in need during the summer heat, we’re doing more than being kind—we are becoming answers to prayer. When you stop to help someone, write a card, donate supplies, show up for service work—you’re walking down your own version of Straight Street.

It doesn’t always feel dramatic. But neither did it for Ananias. It felt risky. Scary. Uncertain.

Yet he obeyed. And the world changed because of it.

So here’s the question:

If someone in your community is praying today—could it be that you are the one God is sending?

Final Reflection

The hope of prayer is not just that God hears.

The hope of prayer is that God moves.

And very often, God moves through people like you.

You don’t have to have the master plan. You don’t need to know how it all ends. You just need to be available.

Say yes to the next right thing.

• A knock on a door.

• A smile that says, “You matter.”

• A word that whispers, “You’re not alone.”

• A heart that says, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

May this Word have a home in our hearts. Amen.

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FAQ

Q: What does Acts 9:10–19 teach us about prayer?

A: It shows that prayer isn’t only about asking—sometimes we are the answer God sends to someone else’s prayer.

Q: Why was Ananias afraid of Saul?

A: Saul had a reputation for violently persecuting Christians. Ananias knew he was a threat, which made God’s call to help him incredibly risky.

Q: How does this passage connect to everyday life?

A: Just like Ananias, we are often placed in situations where God uses us to respond to others’ needs—through small acts of kindness, courage, and availability.