6th. November. 2021. Daily Devotion.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.

~ Ephesians 3:16

The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. That other, larger, stronger, quieter life should be the Lord speaking to us as we seek Him in prayer.

Reuben Archer Torrey (January, 1856 – October, 1928), was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Torrey wrote: “Oh, men and women, pray through; pray through! Do not just begin to pray and pray a little while and throw up your hands and quit; but pray and pray and pray until God bends the heavens and comes down.”

What did R. A. Torrey mean? I suspect he meant that we must pray and keep on praying until we get an answer from God. Perhaps the idea of “praying through to the end of a matter.” Pray until you get an answer. I do think we often give up too quickly when it comes to praying about things.

He also wrote: “You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” Prayer enhances us and empowers us for life! ~ adapted from a passage by C. S. Lewis

Lord, let me remember to pray until You answer! Amen

For the Day Ahead

Oh Lord God, I come to you in the morning, full of hope that the day to come might be filled with joy and energy. Grant that I may do my work with a light and happy heart; and if there are tasks that I do not look forward to, or even dread, let me undertake them with courage and resolve. For this day could be perfect, if I can only live it in You and with You and for You.

Where I face frustration today, let me handle it with acceptance and faith that the outcome is in Your hands. Lead me away from anger or judgment of other people. Let me tend to my own garden instead of looking over the fence. If my neighbour’s garden is filled with weeds, help me not to criticize, and keep me from envy of those whose tree bears more fruit.

And let everything I attempt be filled with the knowledge and guidance of Your Holy Spirit. I pray that the Spirit will be with me at every moment, and that I will always be aware of Him, and live every moment of this day in Your presence. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.

For Acceptance of Others

At your Last Supper, Lord, there was a place for all, a place for disciples who believed, as well as for one who doubted. There was a place for the power seekers and the powerless, for the ‘rock’ who would crumble when challenged and for one who valued you at thirty pieces of silver. There was enough room. When we are tempted to pick and choose our table companions, Lord, forgive our judgmental attitudes and help us to find room at life’s table for all, marvelling that even we ourselves are among the guests. Amen.