28th. January. 2021. Daily Devotion.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:13-15
With confidence! God Himself has told us that He will listen to our prayers and, that He wishes to hear them. There’s no reason to be timid in prayer. God invites us to say what is on our minds. With a reverence and respect, of course, for we are worshipping our Lord. God would have us praise Him and serve Him. But still, whatever we need to get off our chests, He asks us to pray to Him about it.
We must have confidence in prayer that reflects our faith in God. If we ask for something in our prayers and — and this is a big “and” — it is something that is good for us, good for others, good for the world, God will grant our requests. Never forget, when you are praying, how much God loves you. He would die for you — wait a minute — he did die for you.
Therefore, when you pray, pray with boldness and confidence. Not brashness or arrogance, but confidence that God loves you and is listening, and is willing to hear your prayer; and boldness, not the kind of arrogance that you are going to tell God what to do, but rather, a lack of any shyness about praying to Him as He has asked that you pray; not withholding anything because you don’t want to talk to God about it. After all He knows already what you are thinking!
Prayer
Lord God always let me pray to you, confident in your love, and, let me begin today in meditation, with unspeakable joy; blessing and praising You, who have given me such hope and eternal consolation.
Raise my thoughts above all the small things below that tend are apt to distract me from you; and keep them above, until my heart is fully resolved to seek You every day, in the path which Jesus has trod before me. Amen.
Prayer of Clement of Rome
You, Lord, through your works have revealed the everlasting structure of the world. You, Lord, created the earth. You are faithful throughout all generations, righteous in your judgments, marvellous in strength and majesty, wise in creating and prudent in establishing what exists, good in all that is observed and faithful to those who trust in you, merciful and compassionate; forgive me my sins and my injustices, my transgressions and my shortcomings.
Do not take into account every sin of your servant, but cleanse me with the cleansing of your truth, and direct my steps to walk in holiness and righteousness and purity of heart, and to do what is good and pleasing in your sight and in the sight of my rulers. Yes, Lord, let your face shine upon all your servants in peace for our good, that we may be sheltered by your mighty hand and delivered from every sin by your uplifted arm; deliver us as well from those who hate us unjustly.
Give harmony and peace to me and to all who dwell on the earth, just as you did to our fathers when they reverently called upon you in faith and trust, that we may be saved, while we render obedience to your almighty and most excellent name, and give harmony and peace to our rulers and governors on earth. Amen. Translated from a letter, 96 A.D.
Dear Lord God, it was steady and predictable living in stability for a long time. Now, there is much uncertainty. How long will this pandemic last?
In ages past, our ancestors also had experiences of pandemics We are not the only ones to know this kind of illness and possible pending suffering.
Faith teaches us that you will not abandon us Lord God. So, we lean on your promise to stay with us for all time.
Let us be sources of encouragement and support for one another as brothers and sisters as we face the changes and pandemic of our time.
With God, all things are possible. May the God who gives us power and strength
grant us peace and solidarity to live each day with goodness and grace In Christ Our Lord. Amen. ~ By a Columban Missionary.
