23rd. July. 2021. Daily Devotion.
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’
2 He said to them, ‘When you pray, say ‘“Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.”’ Luke 11:1–4
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he gave them a prayer. Not a lecture on prayer. Not the doctrine of prayer. He gave them a quotable, repeatable, portable prayer. Could you use the same? It seems to me that the prayers of the Bible can be distilled into one. The result is a simple, easy-to-remember, pocket-size prayer:
Father, you are good.
I need help. Heal me and forgive me.
They need help.
Thank you.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let this prayer punctuate your day. As you begin your morning, Father, you are good. As you commute to work or walk the hallways at school, I need help. As you wait in the grocery line, They need help.
Keep this prayer in your pocket as you pass through the day. Don’t think for a minute that he is glaring at you from a distance with crossed arms and a scowl, waiting for you to get your prayer life together. Just the opposite. Here I am! “I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me.” (Rev. 3:20).
My friend, he wants to talk with you. Even now, as you read these words, he taps at the door. Open it. Welcome him in. Let the conversation begin. ~ from Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer by Max Lucado
Father you are good. I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For Faith
Almighty Christ, let me look into that place beyond space and time where you dwell, from where you came and to which you will return. Let me look to you and be saved: Beyond material things, beyond the insistent desires of my flesh, beyond the reach of evil.
Give me faith that can save me from despair, faith that will dissolve my worry and care, faith that can bring peace beyond all understanding. Let me move every day towards absolute faith in you, for there lies the strength I need to follow you without reservation. Help me to find, every day, more and more faith, that I may have an ever-renewing vitality and power, and live in the conviction that you and only you can and will take care of me, forever. Amen.
Coronavirus Prayer
Lord, we thank you that you are the one who never leaves us. You are utterly faithful in times of sorrow and joy. On mountain top or deepest valley, you lead and sustain us; you are our Shepherd
We pray for those who face greatest challenges in this season: those with underlying health issues, the weak and the elderly, those with disability, those caring for children with special needs, the lonely and the fearful. Lord may your presence bring strength, hope and peace. You are our Shepherd.
We thank you for all those in the emergency services: those who may be risking their own health to keep us safe, those overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands placed upon them. Lord give them encouragement, energy and wisdom.
You are our Shepherd. We trust in you. Amen.