Jesus Teaches on Prayer and More

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Luke 11:1-36

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Humble Prayer

by Judy Webb

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Luke 11:23)

During the early days of my faith journey I struggled with prayer. What was prayer, how do I pray, when and why do I pray? Somehow, I stumbled upon a book by Dutch Sheets called, Intercessory Prayer.  I would take this book into my office each night after dinner and read, highlight, and discover the gift of prayer. This was my first encounter with prayer and developing a prayer life. It was during a season in my life when I questioned the value of life and why I was here. It is so astounding to look back and see how God's hand directed and protected me over the years.

This year, 2021, my word is Prayer, as I have mentioned before. And once again I am at the master's feet learning and discovering the 'why's of praying'. I have been reading about revival and the fact that our nation might be on the brink of revival. This is so exciting, and while I realize revival doesn't just happen, I know that thousands of people have been and are praying for this phenomenon to take over our nation.

I think many of us would admit that only God can save us. We, the country and the world, are in a severe downward spiral. My heart breaks each time I hear or read of a new executive order put into play by our leaders. Orders which promote abortion, the deterioration of the family unit, and the sick orders which put the safety of our children in jeopardy by encouraging sexual deviancy. Over and over I find myself shaking my head and saying, "Not in my county!" I wonder how this can be happening, and what can I do about it?

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

This familiar verse has so much more meaning now. I understand the value of prayer and of praying frequently. I find comfort and a safe feeling in the act of praying and I embrace my prayer list with faith, knowing God hears our prayers.