The Way
Lydia at the Riverside Place of Prayer
A heart opened by the river
Story
Setting sail from Troas, the group passed Samothrace and reached Neapolis the next day. From there they went to Philippi. Philippi was a leading city of the region of Macedonia and a Roman colony. A few days later, on the Sabbath, they went outside the city gate to the riverside, where they expected to find a place of prayer.
Some women had gathered by the river. The group sat down and spoke the word to them. Among them was Lydia, from the city of Thyatira. She was a dealer in purple cloth and a woman who worshiped God. The Lord opened Lydia's heart, and she listened closely to what Paul said.
Lydia and her household were baptized. Lydia urged them, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” They could not refuse her. Paul always remembered the church in Philippi that began this way with joy, and years later he sent them a letter from prison.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of the Lord and of Paul
The Lord opened Lydia's heart to listen closely to what Paul said.
If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.
I thank God every time I think of you, because you have shared with me in the gospel from the first day until now.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Acts 16:11–15
Background
Philippi was named after Philip II, king of Macedonia. After a battle on its plain in 42 BC, retired Roman soldiers settled there, and it became a colony. The Gangites River flows west of the city.
Pause and Reflect
Remembering how the Lord opened my heart, whom am I opening my door to?