Where are the Men?

Acts 16 has the amazing story of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail. But there's something that happens earlier that grabs my attention even more.

Paul wants to go to Bythnia (Turkey) but is prevented by the Holy Spirit. He dreams about a Macedonian (Greek) man begging him "Come here and help us." (Acts 16:9). So, not being restrained by God, they go to Philippi, the Roman colony. The first Sabbath day there Paul, Silas, and Luke head for a known place of prayer by the river. They begin talking with the women who are gathered there, and after God opens her heart, Lydia is saved. They stay with her and all the members of her household.

Did you catch it? Where are the men? Paul dreams of a Macedonian man, but they find only women in this place of prayer.

We read in Acts 16:40 that the brothers were at Lydia's house. So there are some believing men mentioned there. But why weren't there men praying that morning (or at least, men gathered there who were open to hearing the Gospel)?

I'm not trying to denigrate women -- it's pure grace that anyone's heart is opened to receive the Word. Since we don't read about Lydia's husband, my speculation is that she was unmarried. But where were the men? What were they doing that was more important than prayer that Sabbath morning?

And where are the men today at places of prayer? We need salty men to come to the Lord in prayer, hear the Gospel, be transformed, and lead their families. I need to be like that. So do you.