For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. – Psalm 91:11 (NLT)
This week, we’ve been looking at prayer. In today’s devotion, we’re going to look at how to pray for protection.
Right now, we all feel a little scared. The pandemic we’re facing causes so many of us to fear and feel unsettled. We don’t know when we’re going to be safe from it. It can be scary to go out and get things. You might fear for the safety of a loved one who works at a hospital and begin to wonder how to pray for them.
Pray for Protection
The Bible has many verses on protection, so today we’re going to look at one of them and how we can pray it over our lives and the lives of others for protection.
Dear Jesus, I thank you for sending your angels to protect me. I pray protection over myself and my family wherever we go. I thank you that you’re keeping us safe. I trust you, I don’t walk in fear, but I walk knowing that you’re there to help me through this. I thank you for your supernatural protection today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. – 1 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)
This week we’ve been talking about prayer. We’ve seen that God wants to hear from us, that our prayer is powerful, and that a good way to pray is to pray God’s word.
Today we’re going to look at the importance of praying for our leaders and those in authority. Right now, there is so many decisions our leaders have to make. Do they open restaurants and schools back up? Should they encourage us to all continue staying home? These are some of the tough decisions facing our leaders right now.
In the middle of this pandemic, our leaders need prayer more than ever. Our church leaders need wisdom to know how to reach people for Christ. Our school leaders need wisdom on how to keep students safe and keep learning happening. The leaders in government need wisdom to make wise choices concerning our safety.
So today, as we’re looking at prayer, let’s spend some time praying for our leaders and those in authority. Let’s pray they have the wisdom to make good decisions during these difficult times.
Here’s an example of how you could pray for your leaders today.
God, I come to you. I thank you that you hear me when I pray. Right now, I pray for those in leadership. I pray that you give our leaders wisdom. Help them to make good choices concerning our future. Give them creative ideas to know what to do. Help them by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Next, let’s look a little about how to pray. Prayer can be overwhelming, there’s no doubt about that.
The best thing to remember is to pray God’s word. When we pray we want to make sure that our prayers are based on God’s word.
This is an extreme example, but we wouldn’t pray that God would help our dad steal money from a store and not get caught. Obviously, God teaches in the Bible that stealing is wrong. So we don’t want to pray things that go against what the Bible says.
Today’s Tip: Pray the Bible
So if you’re wanting to pray, find a scripture and turn it into a prayer.
One of my favorite verses to pray over myself is Ephesians 1:18.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, – Eph 1:18 (NIV)
So here’s what I would pray.
Dear Jesus, I love you. I thank you that you have called me to something. I ask you to help show me what that calling is. I thank you that you are opening the eyes of my heart to see it and you more clearly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A prayer like that is simple, but based on what the Bible says. So if you’re stuck knowing what to pray, find a scripture and turn it into a prayer. It will help you grow in your prayer life!
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16 (NLT)
This week we’re talking about prayer. Prayer can be a hard thing to do. You may not know exactly what to say or how to start. However, having a good prayer life starts by knowing that God wants to hear from you, which we talked about yesterday.
Knowing that is the foundation for successful prayer. You know that God is excited to hear you pray.
The next truth to know is that your prayers are powerful.
You’re not just floating some words up to heaven. Your prayers make a difference. They can change things.
So as you develop in your prayer walk, know that the things you pray for matter and they are powerful.
Today, choose to take some time to pray. The things you pray about are powerful and effective. So even if its just for a few minutes, take some time to sit down and pray today. God can’t wait to hear from you.
Jesus, I love you. I’m so glad you want to hear from me. I believe that my prayers are powerful and change things. I determine to spend time this week developing in my prayer walk. Help show me things in your word to help me grow in you! In Jesus, name, Amen.
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. – Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
This week we’re going to focus on prayer. Prayer can often seem really overwhelming. You might wonder what to say. How should you pray? Why do you even need to pray?
The truth is, prayer is a really important part of our spiritual life as Christians.
So how do we get started praying?
Consider this: God Wants To Hear From You.
As God’s child, you have a right to go to God. The Bible tells us that we can come before God boldly. That’s good news. Jesus made it possible for us to come to God, without fear, without sin, without any shame stopping us from accessing God. And the best part of all of that is that God really does want to hear from you!
So as we pray, we know that God hears us, wants to hear us and that we have a right to come before Him boldly.
That’s good news. So today, take a moment to pray. If you struggle with knowing what to say, we’ve got a prayer below you can pray to get you started.
God, I come to you boldly. I know that you love me. Thank you for your son’s sacrifice that makes it possible to come to you. I love you and look forward to spending more time this week praying and drawing closer to you. Amen.
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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. – Phil 4:8 (NIV)
This week we’re looking at how to be content, even when things are far from normal.
The first things to think about is where is your focus? Is it on everything that is not going right? Maybe you’re stuck at home and your brother and parents are literally driving you nuts. And all you can think about is how happy you’ll be when you get away from them.
Granted, your brother is annoying and your parents might not always say or do what you want them to, but if you only focus on the things that are wrong right now, you’ll never be content.
It’s not to say that everything will suddenly start going good and things will be back to normal when you change your focus. However, focusing on things that are positive will help you be more content in your current situation.
So, what can you be thankful for? What can you focus on that is going good for you?
Can you focus on the fact that you get to sleep in more? Do you get more time to practice guitar than you did before? What is good about your situation?
Focus on that. Change your focus from everything that is not right, to what is positive about what you’re facing. When you do that, it will help you be more content in the crazy season we’re in.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:19 (NIV)
How do we stay content? We know it’s something that we should be focused on, being content. But how do we do that when it’s so hard right now?
Contentment takes work. That’s hard to hear, but it’s true. It’s going to take some effort to stay content, especially when things seem less than ideal.
To be content, you’ve got to choose it. You’ve got to determine that regardless of your circumstances, you’re going to be content.
You can only do that when you take time to realize what Jesus has done for you. Jesus loves you and will always provide for you and see you through. Jesus knows the beginning from the end and there will always be provision for your needs.
So focus on that. Focus on God’s great love for you. As you do, it’s easier to be content. You know that regardless of how bad things might seem around you, that God cares about you.
He’s made a way to provide all your needs. You’ve just got to rest, knowing that God has supplied you with everything you need.
It’s really scary how our lives can be changed on a sudden gust. From going out with family, walking along the streets, having friend get-togethers and going even to church, we have to stay at home. The daily grind of everyone had to be readjusted.
Certainly, some of us may be, at this moment, experiencing some anxiety and a bit of loneliness. What’s worse, we are in the middle of chaos; no good news, no good comments, no good life. We may also feel that this virus is about to reach our homes and so, this means the end of our lives.
But, you know what? In Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me”. In the international version, the word ‘mercy’ is changed into ‘love’. If you are familiar with going to church, you have heard countless times what people-going-to-church repeat: GOD IS LOVE.
Here’s the secret behind these lines in the bible, even though Coronavirus is chasing us, God also is.
Coronavirus chases you to destroy you, God’s love chases you because he is indeed in love with you, you are his son, his daughter. God has the last word.
Doesn’t that make sense? Doesn’t that remind you of anything written in the bible?
The devil has come to steal, kill and destroy. God has come to set us free of fear, to love and forgive us, and to direct our paths.
I will leave you with this last verse of the bible, let’s see if you recognize which one it is 🙂
Although I may not have food to eat and there is no money at home.
Although I may no longer get together with my family, and university classmates.
Although one family member of mine may have passed away
And I have some who are ill.
Although I may have no internet connection, and there’s no way to communicate.
Although bad news is all that is reflected on TV,
negativity has plagged the social media, and even my home.
Yet, with all this, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior.
Do not forget that God is in control, he is taking care of you. Even when I don’t see it, you’re working, God! You’re the Way Maker.
This is a guest post from Lucas Berón from Argentina. He wrote another devotion for us in 2017 and it’s great to hear from him again! Lucas is 24 and currently, studying to become a teacher. He says: “God has called me son and I wanna share this with everybody. He has come to the fatherless. He’s there to hug us and teach us as well. That’s what I try to share.”
If you’d like to submit a devotion, feel free to use our contact page. Simply paste the devotion into the text box and we will review it and we will let you know if it’s approved.
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. – James 4:8 (NLT)
One of the hardest things to do is to be happy when it feels like everything is not right. You probably feel like your school year got robbed from you. Perhaps you’re upset because you have a parent that lost a job.
And in the middle of all these real and difficult problems, it can be hard to choose to find contentment.
Happiness that is based in circumstances or people will often not last long term. However, if we choose to focus on Jesus, His love and goodness to us, that will help us become content even in the middle of what’s going on right now in the world.
So today’s challenge is to feed good things.
Feed the good things in your life. Feed your relationship with God. Use this time as a launchpad to grow in your relationship with Him. Ask God to reveal scriptures to you that will help you understand and deal with the things you’re currently struggling with.
You’ll be amazed at what He will show you, if you’ll be open to letting Him speak to you.
More than anything God wants a living dynamic relationship with you. So let this time help you feed good things like your relationship with God. Grow close to Him. Get into the word. The things God speaks to you now may impact you for the rest of your life.
Draw close to God and see what He will speak to you!
But godliness with contentment is great gain. – 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Take a moment to look honestly at your life. Are you happy? Most of us if we’re honest are not. We’re not happy with our leaders, our teachers and our parents. More than likely you may not be happy with the decisions your leaders are making during these times.
You might not agree with school being closed. Or perhaps your really miss your friends and your normal life. All of those things is leading you to feel unhappy.
So how do we get past this? The truth is, most of us don’t know how long our world is going to be plagued by Coronavirus. We don’t know when our leaders are going to let us get back to normal.
How do we stay happy when things around us seem so out of sorts?
