Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
What power there is in knowing we can come before God and share our deepest concerns with Him. Such is the God we have and the love He has for us. In both the Old and New Testaments communication with God was central to the relationship He shared with His people.
In a word, prayer is communication. It is going before God and speaking to Him honestly, attentively, and respectfully. Our prayers make our requests known to God; our prayers are to be done without ceasing; our prayers should be offered to God in times of thanksgiving and distress, in sickness and in health and, above all, in faith.
We know that through faith in Jesus' sacrifice, death, and resurrection, we have salvation from our sins. And by this redemption we are transformed into God's children. As God's children we can call on our Father at any time, in any place, and under any circumstance.
To pray then is to speak with God as one would a friend. You surely have needs, fears, and joys. Through a simple prayer, and of your own accord, thank God for the joy of living He is giving you. Thank Him for your good health, parents, and school friends. Let God know of your fears and everything that hurts you and breaks your heart. Pour out your tears before God, and He will comfort you. He will bless you and give you peace even in times of trouble.
There's a 19th-century song that says it very well: "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!"
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of prayer that we might make all our heartfelt concerns known to You. Remind us that You are near and hear our prayers whenever and wherever we offer them. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Biography of Author: This devotion is based on a text submitted by a volunteer working with Lutheran Hour Ministries-Cameroon. In this West African nation, LHM-Cameroon connects with citizens through Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops, MP3 downloads of Christian music and Bible verses, choir concerts, booklets, and youth ministry.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 9-10 Colossians 1
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