Dec 09 2024
Afternoon Bible Verse
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
It can be far too easy to tell someone, "I'm praying for you" and then never follow through. It almost feels cliché and can become habitual, devoid of any real meaning.
Even if we intend to pray for others, how often do we take the time to do it? In a social media-driven world, we see a constant barrage of needs on our screens—sick children, people who have lost their jobs, marriages failing. There are so many needs that are shared, and it can be easy to type "Praying for you." It's similar to saying, "Hope things get better," which is more like a wish than the actual act of praying.
It's not that we forget to pray because we don't care. It can be overwhelming to hear the desperate needs of others. It's a natural tendency to want to jump into action and try to fix things on our own or make things better for others.
Prayer is a spiritual discipline that takes intentional effort.
In this afternoon's verse, we are reminded to be fervent in our prayers because God hears them, and they matter to Him. God is near to us when we cry out to Him. In the moments when we are silent, He knows our innermost thoughts.
God also knows what's in our hearts for others. We can develop the discipline of praying the moment we hear a need. Even if it is a whisper or a quick prayer, God is always there. When we ask Him to work on other people's behalf, He can step in and do the impossible.
Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunity to come to you in prayer. Sometimes I'm not consistent in bringing my needs to you. I know you care about me and what's in my heart. When I feel like you aren't near me, let me feel your presence. Even though I can't visibly see you working on my behalf, I trust you. Help me to persevere in prayer and in your strength. You may not answer my prayers in a way that seems right to me, but you know what's best. Your timing is always perfect, so I will wait for you. In Jesus' name, amen.
If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.
-C.S. Lewis
God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas but for scars.
-Elbert Hubbard
The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.
-C.S. Lewis
"If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.
-Dorothy Parker
