We can make prayer our life and our life a prayer while living in a world that needs His powerful influence

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.  (Author unknown)

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Monday, April 29, 2024

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Today’s daily reading:

[We can make prayer our life and our life a prayer while living in a world that needs His powerful influence]

PRAY AND WATCH

Scripture reading:

How can anyone pray at all times?  One way is to make quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day.  Another way is to order your life around God’s desires and teachings so that your very life becomes a prayer.  Prayer in the Spirit is a form of worship enabled by the Spirit of God, who intercedes on behalf of the person who prays (ESV).  You don’t have to isolate yourself from other people and from daily work in order to pray constantly.  You can make prayer your life and your life a prayer while living in a world that needs God’s powerful influence.  We also should pray for all believers in Christ; so pray for the Christians you know and for the church around the world.   (NLT)

Ephesians 6:10-20 – A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

And pray for me, too.  Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.  I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador.  So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Today’s story is by:  Marvin Williams

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions . . . be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.  –Ephesians 6:18

When fighting spiritual battles, believers in Jesus should take prayer seriously.  A Florida woman found out how dangerous it can be, however, to practice it unwisely.  When she prayed, she closed her eyes.  But while driving one day and praying (with eyes shut!), she failed to stop at a stop sign, flew through an intersection, and went offroad into a homeowner’s yard.  She then tried unsuccessfully to back off the lawn.  Though not injured, she was given a police citation for reckless driving and property damage.  This prayer warrior missed a key part of Ephesians 6:18: be alert.

As part of the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul includes two final pieces.  First, we should fight spiritual battles with prayer.  This means praying in the Spirit—relying on His power.  Also, resting in His guidance and responding to His promptings—praying all kinds of prayers on all occasions (v. 18).  Second, Paul encouraged us to “be alert.”  Spiritual alertness can aid us in being prepared for Jesus’ return (Mark 13:33¹), gaining victory over temptation (14:38²), and interceding for others believers (Ephesians 6:18).

As we fight spiritual battles daily, let’s permeate our lives with a “pray and watch” approach—combating evil powers and piercing the darkness with the light of Christ.

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

– How can have a “pray and watch” mindset help you fight spiritual battles?

– What does it mean for you to stay spiritually alert?

Prayer: Dear God, please help me to watch and pray for myself and others.

Scripture reference:

¹) Months of planning go into a wedding, the birth of a baby, a career change, a speaking engagement, the purchase of a home.  Do you place the same importance on preparing for Christ’s return, the most important event in your life?  Its results will last for eternity.  You dare not postpone your preparations because you do not know when His return will occur.  The way to prepare is to study God’s Word and live by its instructions each day.  Only then will you be ready.  (NLT)

Mark 13:33 – [Jesus said] “And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard!  Stay alert!

²) Mark 14:38 – [Jesus said] “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.  For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

https://odb.org/2024/04/29/pray-and-watch

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