Night Prayer
For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Inspiration
Sometimes it’s too easy to let our own needs and wants consume our prayer time. But we as Christians are an interconnected global community, and God calls us to intercede for each other. Let us still our minds and lift up the people that God places on our hearts, whether it is the stressed single mother from the local church or our persecuted brothers half a world away. Who is God inviting you to remember in prayer today?
Prayer
Father, I thank You for responding faithfully to all of my needs. Help me to turn my heart to others, near and far, who are equally loved by You. I pray Your peace over war-torn nations, Your provision over the impoverished, Your perseverance over the persecuted, and Your comfort over the grieving. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Put this on your calendar:
#FlagDay2024 #CountdowntoChaos #GodBlessAmerica
Devotion
Mary’s big surprise
David Jacobs
For with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37) How lucky we are to know the Lord? In turbulent times it can be easy to forget just how lucky we are. Put yourself in Mary's shoes: she is a virgin, in a relationship with Joseph, and is pregnant...not the ideal circumstances to say the least! What can she say to Joseph? Why would he believe her? How is it possible that she is pregnant? What is she going to do? Luckily for us, Mary and Joseph had the courage to follow God's plan. If God spoke to us today, would we also have this strength?
Think about a challenge in your own life: why do you view it as a challenge and not a gift? I am reminded of a story that I read in the book Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: a young woman has children, the youngest a boy that is unable to walk. In a group therapy session, she bemoans her plight in life, wondering why God has done this to her and her child. Another woman in the group, single and ...
