Influential Women of the Bible: Lydia

Influential Women of the Bible: Lydia

The story of Lydia is found in Acts 16:11-15.

Acts chapter 16 introduces us to a woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira. She was a businesswoman, described as a dealer of purple cloth. The use of purple dye had to be gathered drop by drop from a certain shellfish. Because it was so expensive, purple dye was used on garments worn by royalty. As a craftsman in purple dyes, Lydia was a wealthy woman who had come to Philippi to practice her trade. Lydia was also a praying woman and a “worshipper of God.” This term was used for Gentiles who believed in the Jewish God, but were not yet believers in Christ.

Being led of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul travelled to Macedonia and stayed in Philippi for some days. It was at a prayer meeting in Philippi that Lydia heard Paul sharing the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through God’s divine work, she believed. The Bible says that the Lord opened her heart to respond to the message. She apparently was baptized right away along with the members of her household, which probably included children and servants. As soon as Lydia believed, she went to work for Christ. She invited Paul and his companions to stay at her house. She became a servant, tending to the needs of the missionaries. Later in Paul’s mission, he returned to Lydia’s home where he met with and encouraged believers.

It is interesting to note that the Holy Spirit directed Paul to Macedonia to a group of women who had already gathered for prayer. Could it be that the women’s faithfulness in prayer was a magnet that attracted God’s Spirit to move in Philippi? Likewise, your persistent prayers could be the key that unlocks the door to the opening of hearts of many to receive Christ. Find someone to agree in prayer for a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit in your churches, homes, neighborhoods, and nation. Find assurance in these words of Jesus: “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:19).