Giving the Gift of Prayer
One of the best ways to love others is to pray for them. Jesus is our ultimate example in this. The New Testament tells us about Jesus praying for others on many occasions, and even shows us that He continues to come to the Father on our behalf. Romans 8:34 says that He “is at the right hand of God, making intercession for us.” Even after showing such selfless love at the cross, the risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ continues to express His care for us by praying for us at this very moment.
All around us are people who need us to follow Jesus’s example and love them with our prayers, inviting God’s help and intervention in their lives. We can ask God to help us pray for them, and He will! May our loving Lord strengthen us to generously give the gift of our prayers for others today.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for praying for me. Help me to serve You and others through faithfully praying today. Amen.
When I read this devotion I couldn’t help but think, what an incredible God we serve. He sent His son so long ago to die for us and no, It didn’t just stop there. Jesus’ love for us continues even to this day, what an example, Jesus is continuing to make intercession for you and I, He loves us so much that it didn’t stop at the cross, what love. Even when we may not deserve it, He’s making intercession for you and I. Go today, make prayer a priority and pray for someone today, we all know someone who needs our prayers. Prayer is one of the most powerful tools and the enemy knows if he can quench your prayers he can quench you. Prayer is a gift to be shared, share it with someone today. Time spent in prayer is never wasted.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 8:28-34
Extraordinary Prayer
There are numerous scriptures and stories throughout the Bible that encourage us to pray. Prayer is so important in our lives as Christians, yet it often gets reduced to either 911-type cries for help or routine words that we are accustomed to praying. In the case of Joshua and the battle with the Amorites, he asked the Lord for a miracle of major proportions. Joshua dared to ask God that the sun would not set until their enemies were defeated. Not only did God answer Joshua’s prayer but verse 14 further states that “there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.” The Lord listened and responded to the voice of man.
Does God heed the voice of man today? James 5:16 says that the effective fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much. Jesus tells us to ask, seek and knock and that whatever we ask in His name will be given. The key to answered prayers, however, is in praying God’s will. Because we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we can know how to pray God’s will for our lives (I should add “better know” because there are still times when we all struggle to truly understand how to pray the will of God.) But regardless of what we know or how we pray, the point is that we need to pray to the Lord for everything. We should not hold back from asking the Lord for anything we want. It is up to Him to decide if or how He answers.
This day in Joshua’s life was extraordinary to say the least. God gave him extra daylight time to completely destroy the five kings who had fled from him. God not only answered Joshua’s prayer, but He divinely intervened in this battle Himself. When God has a plan, no one can thwart or hinder what He is going to do. Sometimes we need to pray just for peace in the situation we are in, knowing that the Lord will have His way no matter what we do or do not do. God kept His promises to Joshua and the Israelites and He demonstrated His faithfulness to them in amazing ways.
Is this the same God in our lives today? Absolutely! Do not stop praying and do not allow the enemy to hinder your faith in your prayers. The Lord may not extend our days by keeping the sun from setting, but there are miracles that He does perform in our lives that hold just as much impact. Has God given you promises? Believe in faith that He will fulfill them in your life, maybe not in your timing or by your methods, but in His. He is the same God today as He was to Joshua. Are you expecting the same of Him?
When I read this devotion I felt it was so fitting for a Monday devotion, as we start this week out may we remember this when we get discouraged or distracted by the things that try to hinder our faith in our prayers. Trust in His timing! Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 3:5-7
The Power of Prayer
One day, when I was deeply concerned about the welfare of one close to me, I found encouragement in part of the Old Testament story of Samuel, a wise leader of the Israelites. As I read how Samuel interceded for God’s people as they faced trouble, I strengthened my resolve to pray for the one I loved.
The Israelites faced the threat of the Philistines, who had previously defeated them when God’s people didn’t trust in Him (see 1 Samuel 4). After repenting of their sins, they heard that the Philistines were about to attack. This time, however, they asked Samuel to continue praying for them (7:8), and the Lord answered clearly by throwing their enemy into confusion (v. 10). Though the Philistines may have been mightier than the Israelites, the Lord was the strongest of them all.
When we ache over the challenges facing those we love, and fear the situation won’t change, we may be tempted to believe that the Lord will not act. But we should never underestimate the power of prayer, for our loving God hears our pleas. We don’t know how He will move in response to our petitions, but we know that as our Father He longs for us to embrace His love and to trust in His faithfulness.
Do you have someone you can pray for today?
Father God, the way You hear and answer my prayers amazes me. Strengthen my faith, that I will always believe in Your goodness and love. Amen.
When I read this today one thought came to mind, Thank You God for everything in my life, the good and bad, some were blessings and some were lessons. Through every single thing I face, He is my strength. Allow Him today to strengthen your faith, even through the trials, He will never leave you nor forsake you. I want to share this quote with you, I pray it uplifts and encourages you as it did I. There’s no storm that God won’t carry you through. No bridge that God won’t help you cross. No battle that God won’t help you win. No heartache that God won’t help you let go of. He is SO much bigger than anything you will face today. Leave everything in His hands and embrace this day confidently knowing that He WILL take care of you. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). There is Power in prayer!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Samuel 7:7-14