Worship & Prayer

Worship

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” – Acts 16:29-31

What a random question for a jailer to ask two prisoners. But these weren’t just any two prisoners. Paul and Silas had been arrested, flogged, and thrown into a prison cell, yet with their feet in stocks, they were “praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25). As if their behavior wasn’t strange enough, an earthquake shook the prison, causing every prisoner’s chains to fall off, but remarkably, no prisoner fled. After all, this guard’s life would have been on the line if they had. No wonder the jailer wanted to know how he could be saved.

When we worship in the dark as Paul and Silas did — in the midst of pain, loss, fear, uncertainty, sickness, or death — people notice. When we bless the name of the Lord, whether He gives us the desires of our hearts or takes something precious from us, people notice. God can use our praise to move in their hearts, and we may find their voices joining ours in heartfelt worship of the one true God.

“I Worship God for who He is and what He has done for me.”

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Prayer

Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done. – Luke 22:42

Does prayer seem useless to you? Perhaps you see others’ prayers answered time and again while yours remain unanswered. Maybe you find yourself thinking, God has everything set in motion to accomplish His plan, so what’s the point of praying? It won’t change His mind. Jesus feels your pain. Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane failed to change God’s mind. Jesus knew God’s plan was set in stone before He prayed, but it didn’t hinder Him from pouring out His heart until He sweated drops of blood. Through humbling Himself in prayer, Jesus surrendered to the Father’s will. In turn, I believe the Father instilled in Him the courage and strength He needed to accept the horrific death on the Cross.

Keep fervently praying and asking God to answer your prayers.

Even if He doesn’t answer the way you had hoped, He will give you the courage and strength to face whatever challenge is before you.

“I pray to God to know Him, to find direction for my life, and to lay my requests before Him.”

Excerpted with permission from Believe: 365-Day Devotional by Randy & Rozanne Frazee, copyright Randy and Rozanne Frazee.

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Your Turn

Worship and prayer are integral to the life of a Christian! Worship is the expression of God’s holiness, His goodness, His sovereignty, His immutability, and all of His resplendent attributes. Prayer is humbling coming before Him; know He desires what is best for us and cares about every details of our private lives and growing in relationship with Him. No matter what is going on, let’s stop and worship and pray today! Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily