Prayers Devotionals

 Reflection Hebrews 12:1-2 We have so many 'witnesses' that have gone on before us. So many men and women of faith (Hebrews 11) that are the examples the Lord has given us to follow. We are to lay aside every weight. Now, what are these weights? They are the things that bring about stress and worries. They are the things Jesus wants to carry for us! We also need to lay aside our sin. Sin is inevitable. Even the lives of the very witnesses spoken of in Hebrews 11 are fraught with sins and the remorse of sin! Even though we cannot be perfect of ourselves, we must lay aside our wants and desires and choose to follow the Lord (Romans 6:15). This is a hard thing to do, but we must run with patience. Jesus has given each of us a race to run. Each of our races are different, this means that we cannot compare our race with others. At times, our race is difficult. We become tired and worn out, but then God reminds us of how much we need Him! We are not running alone! We have the Creator...

 Let’s pray for Israel and it's people: Dear God, we implore your protection for the Jewish people, Your chosen ones, who are currently facing unspeakable atrocities. Our hearts grieve with them as they mourn the loss of family, friends, children, and coworkers solely due to their ethnicity and faith. Grant, O Father, the smallest glimmer of hope to those who pray amidst this ongoing conflict. Help us see that the actions of groups like Hamas are driven not by political reform, geopolitical concerns, or the defense of Gaza but by a cruel mission to annihilate the Jewish people. We pray for unity among Israel and its allies to safeguard the innocent. Grant people the clarity to discern the true intentions of Hamas and other destructive forces. We may not fully comprehend the reasons for these horrific events, not only in the Middle East but also around the world. Grant us the strength to renew our hope during these dark times and guide us in supporting our Jewish friends and neighbo...

 C. S. Lewis Daily 10-14-2023 I have heard some people complain that if Jesus was God as well as man, then His sufferings and death lose all value in their eyes, ‘because it must have been so easy for Him’. Others may (very rightly) rebuke the ingratitude and ungraciousness of this objection; what staggers me is the misunderstanding it betrays. In one sense, of course, those who make it are right. They have even understated their own case. The perfect submission, the perfect suffering, the perfect death were not only easier to Jesus because He was God, but were possible only because He was God. But surely that is a very odd reason for not accepting them? The teacher is able to form the letters for the child because the teacher is grown-up and knows how to write. That, of course, makes it easier for the teacher; and only because it is easier for him can he help the child. If it rejected him because ‘it’s easy for grown-ups’ and waited to learn writing from another child who could no...

Dear Heavenly Father, When I look at the path ahead of me, I get discouraged. I’m afraid I won’t be strong enough to face it alone. I’m having doubts as I think about my situation. Help me to rely on your strength above all else. I know that even though the path may be difficult, I can make it with your help. Lord, forgive me for thinking that I’m all alone. You are always with me, and I need to seek you in prayer and trust that you hear me. You are a faithful Father, so I stand on the promise of your presence right now. I believe you are my Helper, my Guide, and my Deliverer. Thank you for supplying the strength I need. Not only for today, but for whatever lies ahead. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

 A Prayer for When We Feel Tempted to Sin Dear God, It is so hard to fight against temptations. The devil bombards us constantly. Teach us how to wisely and effectively use Your Word against Satan’s strategies. Help us keep our eyes on Jesus. Thank you that Jesus conquered sin and Satan, and gives us power to stand against the enemy. I ask for all of this in Jesus Most Holy Name, Amen.

The Holy Spirit Your body is the home of the Holy Spirit . . . —1 Corinthians 6:19 (TLB) Who is the Holy Spirit? He is God, just as God the Father and God the Son are also God. We speak of them as the Trinity. You ask me to explain the Trinity. Our minds can but dimly grasp these great spiritual facts, because we are finite and God is infinite. It may help to remember that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have all existed from eternity. The work of creation was given to the Son and we are told that, “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.” But when you read the second verse of the first chapter of Genesis, you will find that the Holy Spirit was also there, moving upon the face of His creation. In time, the Son of God came into the world as a man, to redeem the world which He had created. After His death on the cross, and His resurrection, He went back to the Father in heaven. During His earthly ministry His work and life wer...

This is the logical conclusion of “Once Saved, Always Saved” theology. The doctrine of “once saved, always saved” teaches that it is not possible for a child of God to sin in such a way that he will be lost. What is the theological concept of salvation? In Christianity, salvation (also called deliverance or redemption) is the saving of human beings from sin and its consequences—which include death and separation from God—by Christ's death and resurrection, and the justification entailed by this salvation. What is the theological principle of predestination? The doctrine of predestination teaches that everyone who is saved was chosen by God before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13). People might conclude that no one can know for sure whether he is saved and will go to heaven. Somone commented they grew up in a church which emphasised the human response to God’s invitation. We were taught that if we “ask Jesus into our heart” or “make a decision to follow Christ” w...