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"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 169 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Kings 14:1–18; Psalm 138; Rev. 11)
THE LORD IS LISTENING
“The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18 ESV)
They say that there are no atheists in foxholes. I would think that the same would be true with hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other calamities. Can you imagine the horror and paralyzing fear that come over individuals caught in the middle of such events? And can you imagine how may prayers for rescue are sent heavenward?
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15 ESV)
In today’s verse, we reminded of one of the key components of effectual prayers.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Are you experiencing days of trouble? Are you calling on the Lord for deliverance? Are you doing so in truth, that is in faith?
The writer of that great “prayer hymn” certainly had this truth in mind when he penned these precious words:
1. What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a Friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness -
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our Refuge -
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He'll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
(“What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” Lutheran Service Book 2006, #770)
Heavenly Father, thank You for answering prayers for rescue from many caught in the calamities of life. Please watch over and protect all who may be in peril of the other storms of life as well. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow!
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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