Just a couple of quick things before I get into my main devotional.
Yes it is my birthday today (26th). I am turning 48. Thank you for all your good wishes.
Yesterday, I talked about the mask that some people wear. I was talking metaphorically not the literal masks that people are wearing to prevent the spread of the Covid virus. Hopefully the context of trying to hide or lie about who you appear to be on the outside in contrast to who you really are on the inside made that understood. Sorry if there was any confusion.
I did not focus on the command to pray for each other as much as the first command in that verse from James 5:16. Prayer is a much broader topic that I could to a whole series on (and I have). Here it is used in the context of prayers of healing and confession so I just included it in the prayer of confession.
However, in my sermon preparation, I did come across a story from Our Daily Bread (from June 2, 2005) that I want to reprint here for us to think about this week.
Prayer is a conversation with God, not a formula. Yet sometimes we might need to use a “method” to freshen up our prayer time. We can pray the Psalms or other Scriptures (such as The Lord’s Prayer), or use the ACTS method (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). I recently came across this “Five-Finger Prayer” to use as a guide when praying for others:
- When you fold your hands, the thumb is nearest you. So begin by praying for those closest to you—your loved ones (Philippians 1:3-5).
- The index finger is the pointer. Pray for those who teach—Bible teachers and preachers, and those who teach children (1 Thessalonians 5:25).
- The next finger is the tallest. It reminds you to pray for those in authority over you—national and local leaders, and your supervisor at work (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
- The fourth finger is usually the weakest. Pray for those who are in trouble or who are suffering (James 5:13-16).
- Then comes your little finger. It reminds you of your smallness in relation to God’s greatness. Ask Him to supply your needs (Philippians 4:6,19).
Whatever method you use, just talk with your Father. He wants to hear what’s on your heart.