Be Devoted to Prayer (Oct 20)
Visited by their resurrected Lord
and empowered by the promised
Comforter, the disciples fearlessly
follow their marching orders.
The advance of the gospel is
soon opposed by adversaries.
Attacks from without and within
threaten to fracture the body
of believers in Jerusalem. But
prompt discipline, wise leadership
and unflinching commitment
only serve to enlarge the church.
Lord, we offer ourselves to You:
But as the believers rapidly
multiplied, there were rumblings
of discontent. The Greek-speaking
believers complained about the
Hebrew-speaking believers saying
that their widows were being
discriminated in distribution of food…
Brothers, select seven men who
are well respected and are full of
the Spirit and wisdom. We will give
them this responsibility. Then we
apostles can spend our time in
prayer and teaching the word…
These seven were presented to
the apostles, who prayed for them
as they laid their hands on them.
So God’s message continued to
spread. The number of believers
greatly increased (Acts 6:1-7).
Lord, we realise each person has
a vital part to play in the life of
the church. For we are created
in Christ Jesus for good works;
which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them. So,
prompt and lead each of us to offer
our God-given gifts and talents for
service in various church ministries
and so live a life of purpose. Amen.
Lord, grant me grace for continual
readiness and devotion to prayer.
Open my eyes & heart to understand
the great privilege You have given
me in allowing me free access into
Your throne room. Give me a heart
that’s hungry to spend time with You.
And as I do, prepare my mind and
heart for the work You have for me
to do for You & Your kingdom. Amen.
Lord, we ask You to bless all those
in full-time ministry. We pray first of
all for our pastors, that You would
bless them and their families in
every way. We pray also for the staff
at our church to be blessed by You
Lord and to be led by Your Spirit.
Keep them all safe and protect them
from any attack of the evil one.
And help them to stand strong
against every temptation. Amen.