“Prayer is the essential activity of waiting for God acknowledging our helplessness and his power, calling upon him for help, seeking his counsel. So it is evident why prayer is so often commanded by God, since his purpose in the world is to be exalted for his mercy. Prayer is the antidote for the disease of self-confidence.”
John piper, desiring god, p. 146
Daily Devotionals: As we step into this next season in the life of our church, we are asking the Lord to help us “Make Room in our Hearts” – for the people Jesus loves, and the people Jesus brings. During these 21 Days, our whole church will be reflecting and meditating on these same thoughts and prayers together, with one mind, guided by and depending on one Spirit..
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Engage the Word: Making Room in Our Hearts
Read Matthew 25:35-40
35 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. . . . 40 The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Connect the Heart
In this section of Scripture, Jesus identifies Himself with those in need and with strangers. Our treatment of others, especially those in need, reflects our relationship with God. When we welcome strangers into our lives, we not only meet their needs but also honor Jesus Himself.
Reflect on the Truth
- Think about a time when you felt like an outsider. How did that experience shape your understanding of welcoming others?
- What barriers might prevent you from welcoming those in need, and how can you overcome them?
- How can you cultivate a mindset that sees Jesus in every person you encounter, especially those who are often overlooked?
- How can this passage inspire you to create a more welcoming environment in your home and church?
Depend on the Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the deeper longings, desires or motives in your heart that these thoughts are pointing to. (For example: you may write down, “Loving Lord, thank You for watching over every person—especially those who feel invisible or don’t fit in. Help me be an instrument of Your care today by reaching out lovingly toward those who need support. May my actions reflect Your heart!”) The Lord can help us discern the path forward – through His word, His Spirit, His people.
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For Prayer
As you conclude your devotional time, pray that Ascent Church would be known for its love of those often cast aside by society, as well as those often hard to love. Pray that we would each have the mind of Christ as we interact with others.
Fasting
Please read the first blog post entitled “Why Fast?” This explains what fasting is and why we follow Jesus in this spiritual discipline as together we seek the heart of God.
Previous Posts
To read yesterday’s blog post devotional, please click here.
To read our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting Introduction, please click here.
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Some parts of our 21 Days devotionals are adapted using various resources on scripture and prayer like The Bible Exposition Commentary, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, The New Bible Commentary, Logos Bible Software and other resources.
I sense that loneliness is a pervasive sickness. We all want connection. To God, to other people. And paradoxically, the church is both (God and people) to lonely strangers. I can feel alone in a crowded place, so I need to see a friendly face to feel seen and welcomed…the cure for loneliness.