Afternoon Devotion
December 9, 2021
Afternoon Bible Verse
James 5:16
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.
Afternoon Bible Study
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.
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.
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.
Afternoon Prayer
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
Yesterday's Devotional
December 8, 2021
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Verse
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Study
God is always working on our behalf. His plans are always what is best for us. But what happens when we can't see His plans—will we still trust Him?
God never changes, but the same is not true of us. Our circumstances sometimes change hour by hour and even minute by minute. There are times when we can't see a way out or see how anything will get better. But we are incapable of seeing what God sees. We have to trust that He is on our side and will provide a way.
Our circumstances may not feel peaceful. Some situations may take years for us to see a peaceful result. This afternoon's verse in Isaiah reminds us to set our minds on God. As long as we can only see everything around us, we can't fully trust Him. It requires putting all of our heart, mind, focus, and strength in God.
God never changes, but the same is not true of us. Our circumstances sometimes change hour by hour and even minute by minute. There are times when we can't see a way out or see how anything will get better. But we are incapable of seeing what God sees. We have to trust that He is on our side and will provide a way.
Our circumstances may not feel peaceful. Some situations may take years for us to see a peaceful result. This afternoon's verse in Isaiah reminds us to set our minds on God. As long as we can only see everything around us, we can't fully trust Him. It requires putting all of our heart, mind, focus, and strength in God.
When our minds are flooded with fear and doubt, we can ask God to give us His perfect peace as we trust Him—and we must trust Him. Otherwise, we are expecting the result of peace without the action of putting our faith in God.
We should give thanks to God for what He will do, even if we don't see Him doing anything. He is always at work.
It can be easy to feel like everything is spiraling out of control, but that is the exact moment we should put our hope in God. We were never meant to be in control in the first place. We can freely hand control over to God. Nothing is too big for Him, and no situation is too hard or complicated for Him to figure out.
We should give thanks to God for what He will do, even if we don't see Him doing anything. He is always at work.
It can be easy to feel like everything is spiraling out of control, but that is the exact moment we should put our hope in God. We were never meant to be in control in the first place. We can freely hand control over to God. Nothing is too big for Him, and no situation is too hard or complicated for Him to figure out.
Yesterday's Afternoon Prayer
Lord, you never promised me a perfect life, but you have offered me your perfect peace. When the storms of life come, help me to place my trust in you. Sometimes my mind feels overwhelmed with everything going on in my daily life. Thank you for calming my thoughts so I can think clearly and make the choice to put my faith in you. Give me more hope as I see you work on my behalf. Thank you for being faithful in my life. Help me share the peace you have given to me to those around me. In Jesus' name, amen.