Peter's Vision...The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance. Acts 10:9-10

Once again we see God doing amazing things when a man goes to prayer! Peter decided to have a prayer time just before lunch and he is taken into the Spirit realm where a huge blanket is dropped from heaven with all sorts of unclean animals on it. Peter's mind is already on food but he says "I'm not eating unclean food (Jewish diet precluded certain animals to be eaten)". God penetrates his prejudice mind and declares to him "What God has cleansed you must not call common". This happens three times to reinforce the lesson and prepare Peter for his visitors who are about to knock on the door. Who are they? Non Jewish - Gentile people - not allowed to mix with from a Jewish perspective. Of course - Peter puts 'two and two' together and realises that God has just given him a vital message to go with these Gentile men and preach the gospel to them. The fire of God falls and they are all saved and baptised in the Spirit! Yes Lord!

Isn't it amazing how many of us have prejudices we hold to - some without even realising. These prejudices affect the way we interact in society - who we will mix with and who we won't. You may be uncomfortable amongst different ethnic people. I have witnessed many white people being uncomfortable amongst darker race people. But I have also seen many darker race people uncomfortable amongst white people. Often because of prejudices that we have grown up with.  For example, I was never comfortable in and amongst the wealthy. Over the years God revealed to me that I had developed a prejudice against the wealthy that I needed to repent from. Almost a 'tall poppy syndrome' attitude. This then disempowered me to feel out of my depth when God put me into places to minister to those who had accumulated wealth. Many of those people are some of the most amazing people I have met! Not only was God able to break that prejudice in my life but he has helped me to bring breakthrough in these people's lives. Our prejudices will often remain hidden from our sight unless we - like Peter - come in prayer and allow the Spirit of God to give us spiritual insight into those things that are hindering us from moving further ahead in God. Peter could have rejected God's vision whilst in prayer and the gospel would have had to come to the Gentiles through someone else. God wants to move through your life and not have to default to someone else!  Why don't you open your heart and allow the Spirit of God to remove any prejudices that may be lurking deep within your heart? Amen.