2021 Daily Devotion - Day 358

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I heard a story of a ship sinking in the middle of a storm, and the captain called out to the crew and asked, "Does anyone here know how to pray?"

One man stepped forward and said, "Yes sir, I know how to pray."

The captain said, "Wonderful, you pray while the rest of us put on life jackets--we're one short."

Many people are like this captain who doesn’t believe in the power of prayer. They see prayer as something nice to do but not something essential to their lives. This kind of outlook is unfortunate because it robs people of not only a great resource of strength in their lives, but also opportunities for closer relationships with the God of heaven and earth.

I want to encourage you to have a different outlook concerning prayer. Here is God’s promise to you and me when we humbly come to Him in prayer:

2 Chronicles 7:14 RSV
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, too many times we have seen prayer as an addendum to our lives. We haven’t seen it as the tremendous resource of strength it is. When we pray, we are drawn closer to You, and You are more able to meet the needs of our lives. Help us to experience the power of prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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