I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone. 1 Timothy 2:1

Prayer can be an offering to God on behalf of others. It is so easy to forget this in our concern for our work, our family, and our health. It is reassuring to know that we can bring such personal needs to God in prayer. We can "Cast all [our] anxiety on Him because He cares for [us]" (1 Peter 5:7).

But let us not, lost in self-concern, fail to follow the instruction to offer prayers "for everyone." Remember that we are part of the church universal, united in Christ with believers the world over, many of whom are facing keen hostility toward the faith and even harsh persecution. Let us pray for them and for the work of pastor, teachers, missionaries, and Christian congregations around the globe.

Let us also remember our leaders in government. Daily they wrestle with problems of staggering dimension. Their decisions will affect the future of the world and its people.

We are likewise to remember our enemies. Christ tells us to pray for them. They do not need our revenge, our hatred; they need our prayers.

Christ died for our sins. By faith in Him we have access to God. Let us use this open door to offer prayers for the suffering and needy world around us.

PRAYER: Father in heaven, use us to relieve the world's needs; through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 17-19    Ephesians 4

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