2nd. January. 2022. Daily Devotion.
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’
41 ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed – or indeed only one] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’ Luke 2:38-44
Mary and Martha both loved Jesus. On this occasion, they were both serving him. But Martha thought Mary’s style of serving was inferior to hers. She didn’t realize that in her desire to serve, she was actually neglecting her guest. Are you so busy doing things for Jesus that you’re not spending any time with him? Don’t let your service become self-serving. Jesus did not blame Martha for being concerned about household chores. He was only asking her to set priorities. Service to Christ can degenerate into mere busywork that is totally devoid of devotion to God.
Imagine God inviting you thus: Relax in My Healing Presence. As you spend time with Me, your thoughts tend to jump ahead to today’s plans and problems. Bring your mind back to Me for refreshment and renewal. Let the Light of My Presence soak into you, as you focus your thoughts on Me. Thus I equip you to face whatever the day brings. This sacrifice of time pleases Me and strengthens you. Do not skimp on our time together. Resist the clamour of tasks waiting to be done. You have chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from you.
Prayer for Grace and Favour in the New Year
We ask you to provide for our needs and for your grace and favour. We pray for your blessings to cover us. We pray that you will help us to prosper and make every plan that you have made for us to succeed. We pray that others may notice your goodness to us and be moved to say, “These are the ones that the Lord has blessed.”
Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set your way before us. May all your plans succeed. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Prayer for a Renewed Heart
O Lord, you have mercy on all. Take away my sins, and mercifully kindle in me
the fire of your Holy Spirit. Take away my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore you, a heart to delight in you, to follow and to enjoy you, for Christ’s sake. Amen. St. Ambrose 397 CE
Prayer for the New Year
Dear Master for this coming year
Just one request I bring:
I do not pray for happiness,
Or any earthly thing —
I do not ask to understand
The way Thou leadest me,
But this I ask: Teach me to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee.
I want to know Thy guiding voice,
To walk with Thee each day.
Dear Master make me swift to hear
And ready to obey.
And thus the year I now begin
A happy year will be —
If I am seeking just to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee.
Amen.