Daily Devotions – Praying for Results

Daily Devotions – Praying for Results

Image by Godsgirl_madi from Pixabay

 

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Acts 1:13-26  (ESV)
13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

 

What has been your best experience in group prayer?

 

Thank You, Jesus, that with Your death and resurrection You gave us direct access to You through prayer. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit who interprets my groans into prayers to You when I cannot find the words. And when two or more are gathered, You are present. Not only have You blessed people who our small group has prayed for by surrounding them with Your peace, strengthened them through illness, and answered prayers in amazing ways, but when we recognized the results of answered prayers it encouraged and strengthened the faith of each group member interceding for others. Thank You when I dropped to my knees in reverence with tears running down my face as I prayed through the words of music. Thank you for this opportunity to reach out to You in prayer every morning. Thank You that You hear my quick little prayers throughout the day. Thank You that I can always share my thoughts and feelings with You through prayer because You never leave my side. Thank You that I can be responsive and intimate with You through prayer. Lord, please raise up the church to be strong prayer warriors. Grow the church into a dynamic and life-changing place filled with people who diligently pray for Your will in the church, the world, and for each other. Through prayer, You have given me answers, direction, and courage, but sometimes I only hear silence. Help me not get discouraged when I don’t see obvious or spectacular results in my fervent prayers. Help me to trust that You are working behind the scenes. You have promised to respond to prayers.  You are the source of peace and courage that I depend on. Let Your Grace flow to me through prayer. Amen