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DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Sunday, March 26, 2017
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May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥
Today’s scripture reading:
People were flocking to hear Jesus preach and to have their diseases healed, but Jesus made sure he often withdrew to quiet, solitary places to pray. Many things clamor for our attention, and we often run ourselves ragged attending to them. Like Jesus, however, we should take time to Withdraw to a quiet, deserted place to pray. Strength comes from God, and we can only be strengthened by spending time with Him. (NLT)
Luke 5:12-16 – In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he fell to the ground, face down in the dust, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you want to, you can make me well again.”
Jesus reached out and touched the man. “I want to,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go right to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the Law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy, so everyone will have proof of your healing.” Yet despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
[Jesus] said to [his disciples], “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.” –Luke 11:2 (NRSV)
Here is a portion of Lia McIntosh’s (Missouri) story:
“My daughter Alexis is an active three-year-old who loves to talk. Her favorite question is, ‘Why?’ Many days we have in-depth conversations about why I go to work, why she goes to school, and even why we have to sleep at night.
“Recently she asked, ‘Why do we pray?’ I paused to think. After a few moments of silence I simply responded, ‘to remind us that God is with us.’ . . .
“The disciples who followed Jesus were also inquisitive and asked Jesus how they should pray. Jesus’ response in Luke 11 is not simply a pattern to be repeated but rather a call to relationship. Jesus reminds us that prayer is not about perfect words, but rather a heart inclined toward God. Prayer fosters an inner peace that enables us to persevere even when we can’t answer every ‘why’ question. It develops trust that God will provide all that we need and reminds us that forgiveness is a daily gift. Prayer shapes a desire for God’s kingdom rather than our own.”
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY – In times of uncertainty, I will pray to God.
Prayer: Dear God, give us the strength and power, through your Holy Spirit, to trust you to transform the world and to transform us. Let your will be done. Amen.
To read the rest of the story in The Upper Room, click on the following link: http://devotional.upperroom.org/
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