What enabled Peter to change so radically? He prayed with an openness that allowed him to hear God, and to work through the vision until he understood it. If we want to be changed we need to develop a prayer life that is a relationship with God, not a shopping list centred on our own needs.

The Holy Spirit prompts us to change and to act. These are the ‘Acts’ of the apostles: the best witness to our faith is for others to see it in action, then we can be authentic when we talk about God. We are each at a different point in the process. Peter could not change everything in one go: God knows when we are ready for the next step. But we are supposed to keep moving. With each step the Word of God is carried forward.