A ministry of Moody Bible Institute

31-DAY
PRAYER
DEVOTIONAL
 Today with Mark Jobe

Prayer and Fasting

From the President of Moody Bible Institute
“Praying and fasting is not a new practice, but one that is deeply embedded
in the history of the church and mentioned throughout the Bible.”

When I was just as a time of spiritual preparation.

16, about one year Nehemiah fasted and prayed before
after I accepted setting out to rebuild the walls of
Christ as my Jerusalem (Neh. 1:4). Moses fasted
Savior, I decided for 40 days, preparing him to receive
to follow Jesus by the Ten Commandments (Ex. 34:28).
spending time in And Elijah fasted for 40 days before he
fasting and prayer. received fresh direction from God (1
I took a tent to the top of a mountain, Kings 19:8). As we consider spending
bringing only a bottle of water and my time in prayer and fasting, we have
Bible, determined to spend three days no better example than Jesus. Our
alone with God. Of course, three days Savior withdrew from others to spend
is a long time for a teenage boy to go 40 days communing with His Father
without food, and by the time my fast (Matt. 4:1–11).
ended, my appetite was in overdrive. We do not pray or fast to pay
Bursting into our home, I told my penance. We are not trying to perform
mom, “I’m starving!” such a significant sacrifice that God
While I no longer spend time in will pay attention to us. There is
a tent on a mountain, the practice of nothing we can do to gain the favor
prayer and fasting has remained an of God besides what Jesus did on the
important part of my Christian life. I cross. But as we step away from our
have fasted alone, with my wife, and routine, we are able to focus. Our
with our church community. I also physical hunger accentuates our need
called the entire Moody Bible Institute for God’s presence.
community to a time of prayer and In Psalm 63, David writes from the
fasting as we asked God’s blessing Desert of Judah that his deepest needs
and protection on our school and can be met only through God: “You,
students. God, are my God, earnestly I seek
Praying and fasting is not a new you; I thirst for you, my whole being
practice, but one that is deeply longs for you” (v. 1). While we may not
embedded in the history of the be in a physical desert, we too long for


church and mentioned throughout God’s presence. Why? “Because your
the Bible. Fasting was often used love is better than life” (v. 3).

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 Practical Theology

When God Is Silent

by Dr. John Koessler
“Praying is not like pushing a button or pulling a lever.
The kind of prayer that Jesus describes grows out of a relationship.”

Prayer is a conversation with God. But like pushing a button or pulling a

it is not like most of the conversations lever. The kind of prayer that Jesus
we have. We do not see God’s face or describes grows out of a relationship.
hear His voice. We cannot gauge the More specifically, it grows out of a
response by observing body language relationship with Christ: “If you
or facial expressions. How is it remain in me.”
possible to have a conversation when The verb translated as “remain”
God is the silent partner? means to abide or dwell. When we
We know from Scripture that God pray as those who are in Christ, we
has a voice. According to the book of do not come to God from the outside.
Genesis, the first words ever spoken We are already in communion with
were God’s words: “Let there be light, God by virtue of our union with
and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). Yet, Christ. Neither do we approach Him
the Bible also shows that God is no as outsiders. Rather, we come to God
chatterbox. God indeed spoke to as His children (John 1:12; 1 John
Moses “face to face, as one speaks 3:1–2). Our aim is not to persuade
to a friend” (Ex. 33:11). He spoke to or pressure but merely to ask.
Abraham the same way. But ordinary The second critical element
conversation has never been God’s that Jesus mentions in John 15:7
primary communication mode. is familiarity with what Christ has
Our conversations with God said. The Bible shows us the kinds of
are in response to what He has requests we can legitimately make
already said. Jesus promised, “If you and what to expect in answer. God
remain in me and my words remain may not grant all our requests. But He
in you, ask whatever you wish, and hears every prayer and treats us as His
it will be done for you” (John 15:7). dear children. Although it is hard to
In this promise, Jesus emphasized accept, just like a human parent, God’s


two essential aspects of prayer. The refusal is often more loving than if He
first is relationship. Praying is not were to say yes.

For Further Study

To learn more, read When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray by John
Koessler (Kirkdale).

MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE

 Go Deeper

We hope these questions will help you consider (or discuss with others) what
God is teaching you through this month’s study of His Word. We’ve left a bit
of room to write down your thoughts as well!

WEEK 1: Try writing your own definition of prayer. What is it? What is it not?
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WEEK 2: What place should confession of sin have in the Christian life? How
should we go about it? (see Day 9)
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WEEK 3: Like Jesus’ disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, we do not always

pray well. What are some simple steps that may help us to pray better? (see Days
20 and 21)
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WEEK 4: Do some have more of a calling to pray than others? What does
a ministry of prayer look like? Does everyone have a ministry of prayer?
(see Day 24)
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Want more questions? Check out the Go Deeper section on our website or app!

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 This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.—1 John 5:14

Prayer seems like it should be easy. After all, what is prayer other than talking
with God? Yet most people I know feel that their prayer life needs improvement.
This month we will discover what the Bible has to say about the subject of
prayer. I invite you not just to read about prayer but also put into practice what
you learn. God is waiting to hear from you! In this month’s study, we will learn:

• How prayer differs from ordinary conversation

• What we can and should include in our prayers
• Why it is important to become people dedicated to prayer

Your devotional author,

John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody
Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of
which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author,
John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale).
Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green
Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town
in Michigan.

VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 1
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 Day 1

The Opposite of Prayer

Read Luke 18:9–14
God, have mercy on me,
a sinner.—Luke 18:13

What is prayer? The simplest answer look up to heaven.” He beat his breast,
is that prayer is talking to God. But a gesture that signified deep mourning
it may also be helpful to reverse the or shame (Luke 23:48). The Jews of
question. What is the opposite of Jesus’ day considered tax collectors to
prayer? Jesus describes what prayer be Roman collaborators, people who
should not look like in the parable epitomized dishonesty and greed. But
recorded in Luke 18:9–14. Prayer is not as he considered each of their prayers,
self-congratulation. It is not a matter Jesus said that only the tax collector
of reciting your spiritual resume. went home forgiven.
Instead, prayer means coming to God Jesus’ parable reminds us that the
as you are, recognizing your deep God who knows every word we utter
need, and expressing it to Him. before it is on our lips also knows the
To make this point, Jesus state of our heart (Ps. 139:4). You do
contrasted the way two very different not need to put on airs when you pray
people approached God: a Pharisee to God. We must come as we are.
and a tax collector. The Pharisee, Like the old song says: “Just as I am,
rather than expressing a personal without one plea / But that Thy blood
need or offering praise to God, used was shed for me / And that Thou bid’st
prayer to brag about his spiritual me come to thee/ O Lamb of God, I
accomplishments (vv. 11–12). come, I come.”
By contrast, the tax collector  The tax collector’s words are the
approached God from a distance basis for what some call the Jesus
(v. 13). Perhaps he was reluctant to Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ Son of God,
draw any closer than the outermost have mercy on me, a sinner.” Spend
court of the temple. Instead of prai- time alone with God today putting
sing himself, the tax collector felt so this lesson into practice.
unworthy that he “would not even

Pray with Us
Lord Jesus, we praise You for having mercy on sinners like us! With repentant
hearts we worship You, for You have invited us to abide in You. Through Your
blood we share Your blamelessness before God!

6 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 2

Prayer in a Broken World

Read Genesis 4:1–26
At that time people began to call
on the name of the Lord.—Genesis 4:26

When my children were small, I was Yet the news is not all bad. We
often amazed at their confidence see God’s common grace at work as
in me. While they were sure I could Lamech’s son Jabal becomes the first
fix any broken thing they put in my to live in tents and raise livestock,
hands, I knew that I couldn’t. God is and his brother Jubal is the first
a different matter. If the world were to play stringed instruments and
not broken, we would not need to pipes (vv. 20–21). Both were born of
pray. Prayer is needed because we Lamech’s wife, Adah. Lamech’s other
will always face circumstances that go wife, Zillah, gave birth to Tubal-Cain,
beyond our ability. The good news is “who forged all kinds of tools out of
that, unlike a human parent, God has bronze and iron” (v. 22).
the power to fix it. However, the most important
The first explicit mention of cultural development came after Eve
prayer in the Bible does not come gave birth to “another child in place
until sin had made its first serious of Abel, since Cain killed him” (v. 25).
inroads into human experience. In Seth became the father of Enosh, and
Genesis 4, we read that Cain murdered “at that time people began to call on
Abel and was sentenced to a life of the name of the Lord” (v. 26).
restless wandering. Cain’s descendant  As sin and the damage resulting
Lamech became a polygamist (v. 19). from it spread, we see people divide
Lamech’s boast in verse 23 suggests he into two basic categories. One group
had a violent nature. “Lamech’s short did not know God. The other called
poem demonstrates the progress and upon God by name. If we divided
magnification of sin among humans,” up the world today, to which group
Old Testament commentator Andrew would you belong?
Steinmann observes.

Pray with Us
We call upon Your name, God—for provision, guidance, faith, and every good
thing. You who have known humankind exhaustively from the beginning still
love and care for us. For this we thank You!

MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE 7

 Day 3

Prayer and Doubt

Read Genesis 15:1–20
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited
it to him as righteousness.—Genesis 15:6

You might think that doubt has Instead of being angry with
no place in prayer. After all, doubt Abram for raising this objection, the
seems like the opposite of faith. Lord reaffirmed His promise. God’s
Hebrews 11:6 warns that “without word was enough. Abram believed
faith it is impossible to please God, God’s promise, and He “credited it
because anyone who comes to him to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6).
must believe that he exists and that The Lord also reiterated His promise
he rewards those who earnestly to give Abram the land of Canaan as
seek him.” In Genesis 15, Abram’s a possession. He sealed this promise
response to God’s promise to be his with a solemn covenant ritual and a
“shield” and his “very great reward” prediction that Abram’s descendants
seems to be grounded in doubt. would be slaves “in a country not their
Abram’s answer is essentially a own” but would eventually “come out
complaint: “You have given me no with great possessions” (vv. 13–14).
children” (v. 3). This covenant ceremony emphasized
Abram was 75 years old, and his God’s role in bringing these promises
wife was 60 when God initially called to fulfillment. It is not a contract
him to leave his family and his native between two equal parties, but an
country and relocate “to the land I will unconditional covenant made and
show you” where the Lord promised ratified by God (see also Gal. 3:17;
to make him a “great nation” (Gen. Heb. 6:13–14).
12:1–2). The only flaw in this plan was  Do you struggle with doubt? It
that Abram and Sarai had remained is okay to express those doubts to
childless up to this point. By natural God in prayer. But the best remedy is
standards, Sarai was now past the to remind yourself of what God has
years of childbearing, and Abram was already said and done. God’s Word
“as good as dead” where children is always true; He will never break
were concerned (Heb. 11:12). His promises.

Pray with Us
Thank You for giving us the Scriptures, a record of Your promises made and
fulfilled. You understand our weakness, giving us the testimony of Scripture as
reassurance that You are powerful and faithful to do what You have promised.

8 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 4

What Is Prayer?
Read Genesis 18:22–33
Will not the Judge of all
the earth do right?—Genesis 18:25

When asked to define prayer, 19th- right?” Speaking freely, Abraham knew
century preacher F. W. Robertson said God would do the right thing.
this: “It is to connect every thought To us, this exchange may sound
with the thought of God, to look like bargaining, but they did not
on everything as His work and His haggle. There was no back and forth
appointment, to submit every thought, in Abraham’s negotiations. The Lord
wish, and resolve to Him to feel His yielded at every threshold until
presence so that it shall restrain us the limit reached a number that
even in our wildest joy.” Abraham believed was a sure thing.
But a much simpler definition God promised not to destroy the
of prayer is simply to ask. In today’s city if ten righteous people could
passage, Abraham asks God a series be found in it (v. 32). Unfortunately,
of bold questions when he learns that even this number was not low
the Lord is about to destroy Sodom enough! Here God demonstrated
and Gomorrah. Abraham’s concern His grace not only in patiently
is reflected in his first question, hearing Abraham’s petitions but
expressed in verse 23: “Will you sweep also by eventually granting the one
away the righteous with the wicked?” thing the patriarch did not explicitly
Abraham had a specific reason to be request. God spared Lot’s life.
concerned. His nephew Lot lived in  What is prayer? As we continue
Sodom with his family. Although the this month’s study, we will see that
patriarch does not mention Lot by it has many dimensions. But at its
name, it seems likely that Abraham most basic level, prayer is asking God
was afraid they would be swept up something with confidence that He
in the city’s destruction. Abraham will do what is right. What do you
asked a second question in verse 25: need from God today? Boldly ask
“Will not the Judge of all the earth do and then trust His answer.

Pray with Us
Lord, right and wrong are simple concepts. But our ability to discern them is
complicated by human limitations, mixed motives, and sinful inclinations. Teach
us to trust You to do right, even when Your ways defy our comprehension.

MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE 9

 Day 5

Waiting on God
Read Exodus 2:11–25
The Lord will watch over your coming
and going both now and forevermore.—Psalm 121:8

Time has a way of slipping by without not prayers in our formal sense but
our notice. Of course, the opposite cries of anguish. Did God know their
happens when we are waiting for situation? Did He care?
something, whether it be the coffee In the Hebrew text of verses
pot to fill or our vacation to begin. 24–25, three verbs describe God’s
We become painfully aware of time response. The text says He heard their
when we are wanting something groaning, remembered His covenant
to happen. Especially when we are with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and
waiting for God. knew. Unlike the first two verbs,
Sometimes we get frustrated by there is no object given for the third.
waiting for God to act. We may begin It simply says, “God knew.” These
to wonder if God knows or cares about three actions of God occur during
our situation. That feeling was certainly the “long period” that stretched from
familiar to the Israelites. Today’s Moses’ birth until God called him at
passage describes the birth and early the burning bush. We can be sure they
life of Moses that took place during a also describe what God was doing
time the Lord had predicted to Abram, during the 400 years of apparent
when God’s people were “strangers in silence as God’s people waited for
a country not their own” (Gen. 15:13). Him to do what He had promised.
Although Abram’s descendants spent  Are you waiting for God to
400 years there, the “long period” to answer your prayer? Waiting can be
which verse 23 refers in Exodus 2 is long and hard. It may feel at times like
probably a reference to Moses’ stay God is ignoring you. But what was
in Midian. During those years the true for Israel is also true for you. God
Israelites “groaned in their slavery and has heard your cry. He remembers His
cried out.” These cries were probably promises. God knows.

Pray with Us
Once again, help us trust You to know and do what is right. This is especially
difficult when we are waiting on You or when You are silent. Yet we cling to
faith in You and in Your holiness. You know our struggles.

10 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 6

Prayer and God’s Presence

Read Psalm 27:1–14
For in the day of trouble he will
keep me safe in his dwelling.—Psalm 27:5

Who do you run to when you are and he eagerly expresses his desire
afraid? David spent a significant to do this very thing (v. 8). David’s
portion of his life on the run. As a friendship with God enabled him to
young man, he fled from King Saul speak boldly about his fears, desires,
(1 Sam. 21:10). In later years, after his and hopes. But it is clear from the way
son Absalom mounted a palace coup David alternates between speaking to
against him (2 Sam. 15:14), he hid in himself and addressing his audience
the wilderness. It is unclear when that he is not saying these things for
David wrote Psalm 27, but it may well his benefit alone. What was true for
have been early in his life. David’s David can also be true of us.
wilderness experience taught him When David speaks about seeking
to see God as a stronghold (v. 1). A God’s face, he is using metaphorical
stronghold was a place one went for language. David undoubtedly remem-
protection, perhaps a mountain cave bered that when Moses asked to see
or a fortress. God, he was warned that no one
It was during these wilderness could see God’s face and live (Ex.
times that David developed a strong 33:20). What David longed for was
personal relationship with God. David to be in God’s presence.
considered the Lord not only his  Are you feeling anxious? Alone?
defender but also his friend. In this Scared? Through the Holy Spirit, you
Psalm David longs for the presence can experience the reality of God’s
of the Lord. The experience of God’s presence. When we pray, we sense
presence was so important that he God’s presence in a tangible way.
requests it in verse 4: “One thing I ask Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit himself
from the Lord, this only do I seek.” His testifies with our spirit that we are
own heart tells him to seek God’s face, God’s children.”

Pray with Us
“Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. . . .
Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path” (Ps. 27:7, 11). You are
the stronghold of our lives, as You were of David’s. Whom shall we fear?

MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE 11

 Day 7

Prayer and Longing

Read Psalm 63:1–11
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you.—Psalm 63:1

If you’ve ever been away from home “through the watches of the night”
for a long period of time, you have serves as a reminder of his complete
probably experienced homesickness. dependence on God, causing David
We find a similar type of longing to “cling” to Him (v. 8).
expressed in the Psalms. When we are These descriptions give us a clue
homesick for God we long for past to some of the spiritual disciplines
experiences of His presence. Or, we that informed David’s prayer life. He
long to be reunited with Him for all mentions three in particular: public
eternity in our heavenly home. worship at the sanctuary, worship
In Psalm 63, a Psalm which David through song, and private meditation
wrote while in the desert of Judah, on God’s character, especially during
he compares his longing for God to the watches of the night. These
the thirst one feels when “in a dry reminders not only instilled a sense
and parched land where there is no of longing for God, they also helped
water” (v. 1). As David describes a kind him sense God’s presence when going
of nostalgia based on past spiritual through great difficulty. Longing for
experience, he speaks of seeing God God is both a motivation to pray and
“in the sanctuary” (v. 2). It is unlikely a result of those prayers.
that David is speaking of seeing God  Difficulties do not have to drive
in the literal sense but of the power away our sense of God. David wrote
and glory represented by the services these words during a time of great
which took place there. stress in his life (vv. 8–11). When
These past experiences set the you seek God through prayer during
pattern for David’s life of devotion. In times of trial and difficulty, you may
verses 3–4 he expresses his intent to sense His presence in an even more
praise and glorify God with his lips. powerful way.
David’s habit of thinking about God

Pray with Us
We crave the sense of Your presence and the intimacy of hearing Your response
when we cry out to You. Speak to us through Your Word and the words of Your
servants. Unfold Yourself to us so we will know You better through our distress.

12 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 8

Prayer and Shame

Read Isaiah 64:1–12
Oh, look on us, we pray,
for we are all your people.—Isaiah 64:9

The story of the prodigal son is Consequently, verse 6 laments, “all our
arguably Jesus’ most famous parable. righteous acts are like filthy rags; we
After squandering his inheritance, the all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the
younger son in the parable returns wind our sins sweep us away.”
home in shame and confesses, “Father, If we are unrighteous, how can we
I have sinned against heaven and pray? Do we deserve to be heard by
against you. I am no longer worthy a holy God? According to verses 8–9,
to be called your son” (Luke 15:21). we should come to God as our Father:
Although the prodigal felt unworthy “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are
to be called a son, he was not too the clay, you are the potter; we are
ashamed to say “Father.” all the work of your hand. Do not be
In Isaiah 64, God’s people admit angry beyond measure, Lord; do not
that their prayers do not deserve to remember our sins forever. Oh, look on
be heard. Even so, they remember the us, we pray, for we are all your people.”
way God has delivered His people Notice that this appeal is based on a
in the past: “You come to the help relationship, not performance. God
of those who gladly do right, who forgives because He loves us, not
remember your ways. But when we because we’ve earned it.
continued to sin against them, you  Do you worry about things you’ve
were angry. How then can we be done? Do you wonder how God will
saved?” Unrighteousness means more respond if you turn to Him? Jesus’
than doing the wrong kinds of things. parable provides the answer: “But
It is not just one or many things we while he was still a long way off, his
do, it is a condition. The presence father saw him and was filled with
of sin defiles even our best actions. compassion for him” (Luke 15:20).

Pray with Us
These two things are true: that we are not worthy to approach You, and yet
You invite us to approach. Your grace emboldens us to call You “Father” and
to embrace Your mercy and forgiveness. Praise Your holy name!

MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE 13

 Day 9

Admitting Our Sin

Read Psalm 32:1–11
I will confess my transgressions
to the Lord.—Psalm 32:5

We can imagine that on that long other hand, verse 6 says that all the
walk home, his stomach aching with “faithful ones” (literally, “all the godly”)
hunger, the prodigal son wrestled will acknowledge their sin just as
with what he would say to his father. David did. Psalm 51:17 describes our
This is usually true of anyone who “broken spirit” as our sacrifice to God.
confesses wrongdoing. Whether we “A broken and contrite heart you,
are admitting guilt to a parent, God, will not despise.”
spouse, or even God, we plan our The psalm describes not only
words in advance. confession, but offers hope. Those
Psalm 32 shows us how to talk who try to cover up sin will find
to God when we have sinned. The only guilt and unhappiness. Those
Psalmist begins by contrasting the who openly admit their sin will find
benefits of forgiveness with the forgiveness and relief. Refusing to
experience of guilt (vv. 1–4). Then in face your sin only leads to trouble.
verse 5 he gives a basic definition of Acknowledging your sin in God’s
what is involved in confession. When presence opens the door to joy and
we confess our sin, we acknowledge righteousness (v. 11).
our sin to God. Commentator Ellen  Do you need to admit your sin to
T. Cherry calls this the “center” of the God? Be specific as you confess it to
Psalm. The root of the word translated Him. God will not turn away anyone
as “acknowledge” means “to know.” who seeks forgiveness through Christ.
We are often unwilling to admit our As 1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess
sin to God because we refuse to admit our sins, he is faithful and just and will
it to ourselves. forgive us our sins and purify us from
It is a mistake to act as if we all unrighteousness.”
have nothing to confess. On the

Pray with Us
Loving Father, we specifically confess our sins to You. Relieve this weight of
shame. You already know what is in our hearts, but our repentance is the
process by which You forgive us and restore our joy.

14 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 10

When You Are Unsure

Read 2 Samuel 12:1–24
But when you ask, you must
believe and not doubt.—James 1:6

“I have a question, but before I ask David’s court gathered around him in
it, I want you to say ‘yes.’” Nearly concern and attempted to persuade
every parent has heard such a request him to eat. But after the child died,
from their child. The only reasonable David dressed himself, went into
response is to admit that we can’t the Lord’s house to worship, then
guarantee what our answer will be returned home and asked for food.
until we have first heard the request. We can hear the turmoil of David’s
Some of the hardest requests we thoughts in verses 22 and 23, “While
make in prayer are those when we the child was still alive, I fasted and
are unsure of what the answer should wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The
be. This is especially true when we Lord may be gracious to me and let
already desire a specific answer. David the child live.’ But now that he is dead,
made such a request after his first why should I go on fasting? Can I
child by Bathsheba was born. When bring him back again? I will go to him,
he confessed his sin, the prophet but he will not return to me.” David’s
informed David, “The Lord has taken behavior shows his doubts, but also
away your sin. You are not going to his trust in God’s answer.
die. But because by doing this you  We can make bold requests even
have shown utter contempt for the when we are unsure how God will
Lord, the son born to you will die” answer. You may not always be sure
(2 Sam. 12:13–14). how (or when) God will answer your
David spent the next seven days prayers, but you can always be certain
pleading with God for the child. of His goodness. God always knows
During that period, the elders of what is best for you.

Pray with Us
Sometimes we hesitate to make requests because we fear You will say no. Give
us faith to ask for what is on our hearts. Grant us confidence in Your goodness,
even when Your answer isn’t what we want to hear.

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 Day 11

When You Are Angry

Read Jonah 4:1–10
Before a word is on my tongue you,
Lord, know it completely.—Psalm 139:4

Picture the scene for a moment. our own. Although Jonah felt his anger
The Old Testament prophet Jonah is was justified, he is clearly mistaken.
hunkered down on the outskirts of First, he has overstepped his bounds.
Nineveh, pouting because God did God is the only One who is in control.
not do what he wanted. The scene Jonah could not even make the plant
may seem laughable to us. But if that gave him shade grow (v. 10).
we’re honest, we will admit there Why would he think that he should
are times when we too get irritated control the fate of other nations?
with God. Second, Jonah was thinking mainly of
Jonah was so angry that he asked himself. Jonah seems to take God’s
God to “take away” his life (v. 3). grace for granted just as he did the
Jonah had no right to be angry at the shade from the plant that God caused
Lord for His compassion toward the to grow up over his head (vv. 2–3).
Ninevites (3:10). Yet Jonah did not Third, Jonah’s anger failed to consider
hesitate to express his frustration. the larger scope of God’s interest.
What should we do when we feel God is interested in us. But He is also
angry with God? Tell Him! God interested in those around us. God
already knows what you are feeling. cares about us, but He also cares
God perceives our thoughts “from about the rest of creation (v. 11).
afar,” and before a word is on our  You should not be afraid to
tongue, He knows it “completely” express your anger to God. But do not
(Psalm 139:2, 4). He is big enough to think that you can pressure God into
absorb any anger we may feel. doing what you want. God hears our
However, analyzing Jonah’s anger prayers and responds to them. But He
toward God may help us moderate is not at our beck and call.

Pray with Us
You are justified to rebuke our anger, yet so often You respond to our doubts,
fears, and anger with grace. When our outlooks and desires are twisted by sin,
be gracious to correct us and remind us what is true.

16 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 12

Persistent Praying
Read Luke 18:1–18
Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them
that they should always pray and not give up.—Luke 18:1

Not long after I trusted in Christ in Jesus’ point is not that God is
my late teens, I decided I needed like that disinterested judge, who
to spend more time in prayer. I only takes note of the woman’s case
decided that I should pray for at so that she will quit bothering him.
least an hour a day. I knelt by my God is deeply interested in those
bedside, prayed for myself and then who approach Him in prayer. Jesus is
friends and family. When it seemed showing that God will not ignore our
like an hour had passed, I glanced requests. God will not be slow in His
at the clock. It had only been a response. God will not refuse to deal
few minutes! justly with those who come to Him
Being persistent in prayer is not for help.
a matter of recording the minutes Yet the story also shows our
or hours. It is the pattern of praying perspective. We may sometimes feel
for the same thing repeatedly over as if God is both slow and unfeeling
a long period. In today’s parable, toward us when we pray. We may
Jesus compares it to a widow who begin to doubt Him. Remember that
repeatedly comes to a judge with our definition of what is “quick” may
her plea. In verse 2, Jesus describes not be the same as Jesus’ definition.
the judge as someone “who neither However, God’s answers to our
feared God nor cared what people prayers are always right on time.
thought.” With this picture, Jesus  Have you been waiting for God
accurately captures the imbalance to answer a particular prayer? Do not
of power we often feel in prayer. be afraid to pray it again and again.
The answer lies in God’s hands, and God welcomes the prayers of His
we do not always feel that He takes chosen ones, “who cry out to him
notice of us. day and night” (v. 7).

Pray with Us
Lord, we quickly tire of bringing the same petitions to You day after day.
Discouragement, a sense of futility, or even boredom can tempt us to give up.
Please help us persevere and reassure us that You are listening.

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 Day 13

How to Pray
Read Matthew 6:1–8
Your Father knows what you need
before you ask him.—Matthew 6:8

As a child, many of us were taught to is a reference to the practice of some

kneel beside our bed to pray. But we of the Pharisees, whom commentator
can also pray while standing, walking, Rodney Reeves calls “the fashion
running, or even lying down. It is not models of righteousness.” As a
the position we are in when we pray second negative example, Jesus
that matters; what is most important mentioned the pagans “who keep
is the attitude of the heart. on babbling” in the hope that they
In today’s passage, Jesus describes could bowl God over with their long
the proper heart posture, not just prayers (v. 7).
for prayer but for all our righteous The solution Jesus offers is to
acts. Jesus warns, “Be careful not to avoid putting our righteous practice
practice your righteousness in front on display. Instead of seeking the
of others to be seen by them. If you spotlight, Jesus urged His listeners
do, you will have no reward from to “go into your room, close the
your Father in heaven” (Matt. 6:1). door and pray to your Father, who is
The fault Jesus highlights is one of unseen” (v. 6). Rather than attempting
motivation. The problem is not that to manipulate God with your words,
people see us but that we do these open your heart and simply ask God
things “to be seen by them.” Instead for what you need.
of being an act of worship or a form  Your prayer does not have to be
of communication, this kind of prayer a work of art or a formal speech. It
turns into a public performance. does not even need to be very long.
As a negative example, Jesus You are not putting on a performance
pointed to the practice of those who for God’s benefit or for anyone else.
stood in prominent places such as When you pray, simply say what is on
street corners or the synagogues. This your heart, and God will hear.

Pray with Us
Teach us how to pray about our specific needs. Teach us the correct posture
for approaching You with our fears, thanks, and confessions. You are gracious,
attentive, just, and loving.

18 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 14

Prayer and Praise

Read Matthew 6:9–10
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.—Matthew 6:9

If your church offered a free class in from heaven to judge and to act
prayer taught by Jesus Himself, would (Ps. 14:2; 33:13; 53:2). Recognizing
you enroll? What if I told you there God’s stature shapes our prayers.
was already such a class? It is found Ecclesiastes 5:2 cautions us not to
in Matthew 6 where Jesus teaches His make rash promises to this exalted
disciples a model prayer often called God: “Do not be quick with your
“The Lord’s Prayer.” mouth, do not be hasty in your heart
In Matthew 6:5, Jesus has just to utter anything before God. God
described hypocrites who pray to is in heaven and you are on earth, so
be seen by others, thinking mostly let your words be few.” At the same
about themselves. Here, He urged time, Jesus urges us to address God
His disciples to begin their prayer by as our heavenly Father; because of
focusing on God. We should approach this relationship, we can draw near
God as our loving heavenly Father with confidence.
(v. 9). When we address God in this We are to begin praying with
way, we remind ourselves that prayer a focus on God. According to Jesus,
is a relational act. It is a conversation our first concern should be to praise
rather than a transaction. When we and honor God.
speak to Him as our Father in heaven,  Do you have the assurance
we are not stressing distance but that comes by knowing God as
power. Heaven is the domain of your heavenly Father? The only way
God where His will is done (v. 10). you can know God as your Father
When Jesus calls God our is through faith in Jesus Christ.
Father in heaven. God is exalted According to John 1:12, to all who
above all. Scripture often refers to have believed in Him, “he gave the
God as the one who “looks down” right to become children of God.”

Pray with Us
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will
be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9–10). May Your will come into our
hearts, changing our motives and desires to mirror Yours.

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 Day 15

Praying for Yourself

Read Matthew 6:11–14
Give us today
our daily bread.—Matthew 6:11

Do you ever feel guilty about praying forgiveness (v. 12). The other was
for yourself? Our prayer lists can get the need for preservation from
so long they look like grocery lists! temptation (v. 13). In verses 14–15
But we shouldn’t feel bad about this. Jesus warns about the danger of
When Jesus taught His disciples to refusing to forgive others: “For if you
pray about their personal needs, He forgive other people when they sin
began with some of the most basic against you, your heavenly Father
issues of life. He does not limit us to will also forgive you. But if you do
praying for spiritual needs but begins not forgive others their sins, your
with a request for “daily bread.” Father will not forgive your sins.”
The emphasis on “daily” bread The warning of verse 14 expands
may allude to the way God provided the request for forgiveness in verse
food for Israel each day during their 12 to mean “forgive us our debts
forty-year trek through the wilderness. to the same degree that we have
But it also points to a major difference forgiven our debtors.” We don’t earn
between our experience and Jesus’ forgiveness when we forgive others.
original audience. For many of them, The experience of God’s grace
whether they would eat or not should prompt us to show grace to
was a daily question. Although our others. Only those who know the
circumstances are not as pressing, grace of God by experience can
we too depend upon God for our forgive as Jesus describes.
daily needs.  What is on your prayer list? Jesus
When Jesus taught His disciples teaches us to boldly tell God about
to pray for spiritual needs, He our needs. It may be helpful to keep a
focused on the two most important written record of your prayers so you
concerns. One was the need for can celebrate the way God answers.

Pray with Us
Loving Father, “Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we
also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from the evil one” (Matt. 6:11–13). Thank You for cleansing us from sin!

22 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 16

The Potential of Prayer

Read Matthew 21:18–22
If you believe, you will receive
whatever you ask for in prayer.—Matthew 21:22

During some television commercials, from his confrontation with the chief
you will see text scroll across the priests and scribes, curses the fig
bottom of the screen in very tiny tree, declaring that no fruit would
letters. If you read the text, which is ever come from it again,” theologian
often nearly impossible, you will find Stanley Hauerwas explains. “The tree
that it contains a legal disclaimer. withered, just as the scribes and chief
Usually, it is a warning that the priests had withered the temple.”
promised result may not happen Jesus’ disciples were so astonished
for everyone. by the nature of the miracle that they
Sometimes our teaching about missed the symbolism. Jesus was
the promise Jesus makes regarding making a point about faith (v. 20).
prayer sounds similar. Because we Jesus assured them that the same
don’t want people to take it the power was available to them if they
wrong way, we include so many believed (v. 22). God’s answers to our
cautions and disclaimers that we prayer are subject to His will and good
blunt the basic and most important purpose for us (1 John 5:14). If God
point. God answers prayer. refused Jesus’ request in the Garden
Consider the context of this of Gethsemane, we should not be
promise. Jesus made it after the surprised to find that He sometimes
disciples marveled at the miraculous says no to us (Luke 22:42).
withering of a fig tree by the road  Prayer is not a blank check, and
(v. 19). Performing this type of God is not a vending machine. God
miracle seems out of character for is not at our beck and call. Yet prayer
Jesus. However, rather than being is far more powerful than we think.
an act of spite, this was a symbolic It is the power of God that is the true
act much like those of the Old measure of prayer’s full potential.
Testament prophets. “Jesus, fresh

Pray with Us
God, what You destroy cannot be restored; what You establish cannot be erased.
You restrain the forces of nature or make them do Your bidding. The hearts of
earthly authorities are Yours to direct. All power belongs to You.

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 Day 17

The Power of Prayer

Read Mark 9:14–29
Everything is possible
for one who believes.—Mark 9:23

We sometimes say “I’ll pray for you” the boy’s father, the disciples, or the
when we don’t know what else to crowd? Perhaps it was all of them.
say. But praying for someone or in Faith is compatible with action,
the face of an impossible situation is but action is not an adequate
always the right thing to do. As Jesus substitute for faith. Whatever it was
showed in Mark 9, prayer is powerful. that the disciples tried to do for the
When the disciples asked Jesus boy, they did in their own strength and
why they had been unable to cast failed miserably. Sometimes it is better
out the demon in today’s passage, to act than to pray (see Ex. 14:15). But
Jesus answered, “This kind can come in most cases, prayer should be our
out only by prayer” (v. 29). His reply first, not last resort. We can pray as we
raises a question of its own. What act. Or, when we are unable to act,
method had the disciples used we can pray that God will act with a
instead? power we do not have. Prayer is the
The text does not say how the Christian’s primary source of spiritual
disciples tried to help the boy, only power. Everything is possible to him
that they had failed in their attempt who believes, but some things are
(v. 18). Their failure caused the boy’s only possible through prayer.
father to question Jesus’ power (vv.  Are you facing a problem that
21–22). Between the two, it is not seems impossible to solve? Do you
immediately obvious whom Jesus have trouble believing that God
was talking about when He said, “You can work in your situation? Pray
unbelieving generation” and then, the father’s prayer: “Lord Jesus, I
“How long shall I stay with you? How do believe; help me overcome my
long shall I put up with you?” Was it unbelief!” (v. 24).

Pray with Us
We have tried and failed. We have faltered in our faith. We have asked and
been denied. So much of life—and Your will—is beyond our understanding.
We believe, Father, but help our unbelief.

24 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 18

Christ’s Prayer for Us: Part 1

Read John 17:1–12
After Jesus said this, he looked toward
heaven and prayed.—John 17:1

After I became a follower of Jesus in since the aim was to make the Father
my late teens, I wondered if someone known (vv. 1–3). To know Christ is to
had been praying for me to come to know the Father. Those who know the
faith. Following Christ was not the Father through Jesus Christ possess
obvious choice. Our family did not eternal life. By glorifying Christ, the
attend church. I thought about the Father was restoring Him to the
people I knew and couldn’t think of position He had “before the world
anyone. But today’s passage reveals began” (v. 5).
that at least one person prayed for In His prayer Jesus describes His
me. It was Jesus Christ. followers as “those whom you gave
Jesus prayed on the night of me out of the world” (v. 6). Believers,
His arrest. Matthew, Mark, and Luke as Jesus defines them, are those who
describe how Jesus asked to be accept Christ’s words and believe that
spared the cup of suffering if possible He has come from the Father (v. 8).
(Matt. 26:36–46; Mark 14:32–42; Jesus is glorified through their faith (v.
Luke 22:39–46). John’s Gospel does 10). As He anticipated His departure
not mention these things, perhaps from this world, Jesus prayed for the
because he was already aware they protection of those who were His. He
were written. Instead, John describes did not ask God to rescue them out of
other elements of Jesus’ prayer. He the world but to preserve them in the
reveals that Jesus not only prayed for midst of it (vv. 13–16).
Himself but also for those who would  Jesus prayed for you! Let the
believe in Him. message of this prayer sink deeply into
When Jesus prayed for Himself, your heart. Consider for whom you
He asked the Father to glorify Him. can pray today. Whom do you know
This was not an egotistical request who needs to come to the Savior?

Pray with Us
Lord Jesus, Your prayer for us reveals Your love and care for us and our well-
being. Please, bring Your Word in power to our unbelieving loved ones so they
too can be saved and transformed by knowing You.

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 Day 19

Christ’s Prayer for Us: Part 2

Read John 17:13–26
Sanctify them by the truth;
your word is truth.—John 17:17

Our prayers reveal the matters that It is God who makes believers one
are closest to our hearts. Jesus’ prayer through Jesus Christ. The unity Christ
shows His concern for His disciples. describes is reflected in the nature
Jesus prayed for the disciples He was of the church which is made up of
about to leave behind. He also prayed many members who are united to
for those who would believe through one another by the Holy Spirit.
their message (v. 20). This means that The church is already one
Jesus prayed for us! through its union with Jesus Christ.
What did He pray about? First, What we are responsible for is the
He prayed for our protection and expression of that unity. We can
sanctification. He knew that believers be joined together in conflict and
would live in a world marked by sin. selfishness, or we can “Make every
He asked God to protect us “from the effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
evil one” (v. 16). He asked that we be through the bond of peace” (Eph.
sanctified, growing into His likeness, 4:3). In addition, Jesus also prayed
through spending time in His Word for our heavenly future expressing
(v. 17). God’s Word is truth! a desire that “those you have given
Second, Jesus prayed for unity, me” would “be with me where I am,
“that all of them may be one, Father, and to see my glory” (v. 24).
just as you are in me and I am in  You are precious to God! Reread
you” (v. 21). We often read these this prayer aloud. Jesus prayed this just
words as a wish, as if Jesus were before He was arrested, knowing the
saying, “I hope they will be one.” This tremendous suffering to come and the
human-centered reading places all incredible sacrifice to be made. His
the responsibility for unity on us. But thoughts were on you. How great is
Jesus made this request to His Father. His love!

Pray with Us
You thought of us in Your last hour. Even in the face of betrayal, rejection,
abandonment, and death, You prayed for us; You prayed for me. Now we see
Your glory and we worship You, praise You, love You, adore You!

26 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 20

Why We Pray Poorly

Read Luke 22:39–46
Pray that you will not fall
into temptation.—Luke 22:40

A preacher once lamented, “My There are many reasons we pray

preaching is better than my praying, poorly. We may be tired, stressed, or
and my praying is better than my life.” even ill. Sometimes we are distracted
What he meant was that our prayers by the very problems that we bring to
often reflect our aspirations more than the Lord. Talking about our concerns
they do our practice. But sometimes, causes us to think about them,
our praying falls short as well. Why do and before we know it, we are just
we pray poorly? worrying aloud. When Jesus found
We aren’t alone. In Luke 22, we the disciples sleeping, he woke them
see Jesus with His disciples. After and urged them to get up and pray “so
leaving the upper room, they went that you will not fall into temptation”
out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus (v. 45).
withdrew about a stone’s throw away Some of the things that cause us
and gave them one job, “Pray that you to pray poorly are under our control.
will not fall into temptation” (vv. 40– Others are not. But we do not need
41). According to Matthew’s version, to pray well to be heard. It is better to
Jesus said, “My soul is overwhelmed pray poorly than not at all.
with sorrow to the point of death.  There are some simple ways to
Stay here and keep watch with me” pray better. First, pray when you are
(Matt. 26:38). But instead of praying, most alert. Second, find a quiet place
the disciples slept! They weren’t being without distraction. Third, pray using a
lazy or insensitive. Luke offers a more posture that is more likely to keep you
natural explanation in verse 45 when from falling asleep. Some people keep
he says the disciples were “exhausted a prayer list or write out their prayers.
from sorrow.” No matter how you do it: just pray.

Pray with Us
Help us when we feel too overwhelmed to pray. Give us simple words to utter.
Show us how to bring our pain, fear, shame, or hopelessness to You. Give us
strength to pursue You in all circumstances and conditions.

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 Day 21

A Praying Church
Read Acts 1:1–14
They all joined together
constantly in prayer.—Acts 1:14

As a young Christian, I took Jesus’ not only prayed in private but also
admonition in Matthew 6:6 to pray prayed publicly together. The fact that
in secret literally. But the translation they “joined together” shows that
of the Bible I read at the time was this was corporate prayer. Luke also
the King James Version, which said, implies that the disciples did this over
“enter into thy closet and when thou a prolonged period when he says
hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father they prayed “constantly.” Perhaps the
which is in secret.” I took that literally disciples attended regularly scheduled
so I went into my bedroom, climbed prayer services at the temple during
into my messy closet, and prayed in this waiting period. But they also met
the dark! for prayer in the upstairs room of the
However, Jesus’ teaching did home where they were staying (v.
not forbid public prayer. The plural 13). There were no church buildings
wording of the Lord’s Prayer (“our to meet in at that time. Corporate
Father,” “our daily bread,” “our debts”) prayer builds church unity and helps
implies corporate prayer (Matt. 6:9, 11, its members get to know one another.
12). After His resurrection, Jesus told It is also a good way to teach new
the disciples not to leave Jerusalem believers how to pray. If you feel
but to wait for the promised Holy nervous about praying in public, you
Spirit (v. 4). Verse 14 tells us how Jesus’ might begin by listening and agreeing
followers occupied themselves during silently as others pray aloud.
this waiting period when it says that  Corporate prayer does not have
they “all joined together constantly to take place in a church. You can pray
in prayer.” with your family at mealtimes or invite
Although we do not have a record friends to your house. Have someone
of what they prayed for, Luke provides begin and close the time with an
two important details. Believers “Amen” or Scripture verse.

Pray with Us
Lord, the difficulty with corporate prayer is that we often get distracted,
wondering how our prayers sound to others. Help us focus on You, even
when others are listening.

28 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 22

Accessories to Prayer
Read Acts 2:42–47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.—Acts 2:42

In fashion, an accessory is a non- We often use this term to refer to

essential item of clothing or jewelry. It socializing. For us, fellowship time
might be a belt or a handbag. But an at church may mean little more than
accessory can also be something that small talk and donuts. But it was
adds value or extends the function of something more substantial for the
something. For example, a printer and early church. The Greek word means
a camera are accessories that extend “sharing.” It could generally refer to
the capability of your computer. the bond between believers or the
Prayer was foundational to the sharing of material goods (v. 44).
spiritual life of the early church, but it The church also observed “the
did not stand alone. Today’s passage breaking of bread.” Although this
provides us with a snapshot of the phrase can simply mean that they
spiritual life of the early church. It ate meals together, it seems more
identifies the three foundational likely that it refers to a particular
habits that supported the church’s kind of meal. The early believers
prayer life. Luke says that the first probably observed the Lord’s Supper
Christians “devoted themselves” every time they met. This memorial
to these things (v. 42). This is the meal celebrates Christ’s death and
language of habitual practice. In first resurrection (1 Cor. 11:23–26). Luke
place was the habit of sitting under may indicate that the early Christians
the apostle’s teaching. There is more observed it every time they met (v. 46).
implied in this phrase than merely  Does the church life described
listening to someone talk about in Acts 2:42–47 match your own
the Bible. It implies a body of truth church experience? In what ways do
handed down to the church by those the practices of your congregation
who were Christ’s representatives. differ from or compare to those of the
Second on Luke’s list was early church? What can we learn from
something he calls “fellowship.” these believers?

Pray with Us
Lord, we pray for people who feel isolated and unseen in their congregations.
Give us discernment to recognize them, generosity to welcome them, and love
to invest in them week after week.

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 Day 23

Praying in Distress
Read Acts 4:23–31
When they heard this, they raised their
voices together in prayer to God.—Acts 4:24

A foxhole prayer is one prayed in God. Not only was this true in their
distress. The name comes from the case, but also in the suffering of Jesus
holes that soldiers dug for protection Christ. When Pontius Pilate and Herod
during World War II. A foxhole prayer conspired against Jesus, they did what
has two characteristics. First this type the Lord “had decided beforehand
of prayer involves a bargain: “God, if should happen” (v. 28). Everything was
you get me out of this, I promise I will unfolding according to God’s plan.
. . .” Second, promises made in these The believers made two specific
prayers are often quickly forgotten. requests. First, they asked God to
In today’s passage we see the take note of their situation and
early church praying during a time of enable them to speak the word boldly
deep distress . . . but they were not despite these threats (v. 29). Second,
praying a foxhole prayer. Peter and they asked God to thwart the religious
John had been ordered not to teach in leaders’ effort to suppress the name
the name of Jesus. Despite that threat, of Jesus. Instead of allowing them to
they began their prayer by focusing on silence the mention of His name, they
God’s authority and power. The term asked the Lord to “perform signs and
they used to address the Lord in verse wonders through the name of your
24 emphasized that God is the owner holy servant Jesus” (v. 30).
or possessor of all things. Everything is  Are you facing a time of deep
under His control. distress? The Lord takes note of
The quotation from Psalm 2:1–2 in your circumstances and despite
verses 25–26 shows that they viewed the problem, He will accomplish
their circumstances through the lens His purpose in your life. Take your
of God’s unfolding plan. What they troubles to the Lord and ask Him to
were facing was not unforeseen by strengthen you and work through you.

Pray with Us
Father, please take note of the threats and temptations we face today. Through
perils of both hardship and ease, give us what we need to obey You and bring
glory to Your name.

30 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 24

Prayer as Ministry
Read Acts 6:1–7
We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give
our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.—Acts 6:3–4

Prayer is the common task of give their attention to prayer and

ordinary Christians. Maybe you’ve the Word. Any person can pray. All
heard someone say at a missionary Christians should pray. But some
conference, “Some can go, many can believers are called by God to engage
give, all can pray.” Yet there are some in prayer to an even greater degree.
in the church who are set apart for a Pastors and church leaders have a
ministry of prayer. According to Acts responsibility to pray for the flock they
6:3–4, prayer and preaching the Word serve. Some Christians have a special
were the two fundamental duties of passion that enables them to devote
church leadership. themselves to prayer more than
As the early church grew in others. Some are in a life situation that
numbers, its cultural makeup became enables them to spend much of their
more diverse and its administrative time praying for others. Others have
responsibilities more complex. When taken prayer as a spiritual vocation.
the needs of some widows were The seven who were chosen
overlooked, the church brought the did more than oversee the church’s
matter to the apostles. However, ministry to its widows. Stephen was
the apostles declined to take on also a dynamic teacher. Similarly, those
the responsibility. They directed the who have been called to a prayer
congregation to choose seven people ministry often do more than pray. The
known to be full of the Spirit and apostles prayed and taught the Word.
wisdom to address the concern (v. 3).  How can you know if God has
This was not because the apostles called you to a special ministry of
felt the ministry was unimportant. The prayer? The only way is to begin
decision was a matter of ordering their praying. If you would rather pray than
priorities. To take on this important do anything else, you may be called to
ministry would not allow them to such a ministry.

Pray with Us
First, we thank You for gifting some with a passionate focus on prayer. Second,
we ask You to fill them with the Holy Spirit and to bless their prayers. Third, we
ask You to call more to this spiritual vocation.

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 Day 25

Praying with the Spirit

Read Romans 8:18–30
The Spirit himself intercedes for us
through wordless groans.—Romans 8:26

When I face a challenge or have a In verse 18 Paul acknowledges that

large task to accomplish, I always Christians suffer. The struggle may be
know that my wife, Jane, will be so intense that even we who “have the
praying for me. If I feel I need more firstfruits of the Spirit” often “groan
prayer, I have friends that I can ask. inwardly as we wait eagerly for our
But I always have someone else adoption to sonship, the redemption
praying for me, whose voice I have of our bodies” (v. 23). The Holy Spirit
never heard: the Holy Spirit. groans along with us but His groans
Paul mentions this mysterious are prayers. The Spirit “intercedes for
ministry of prayer in the context of us” (v. 26), and “he who searches our
a larger discussion about the Spirit’s hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,
work in our lives. All those who have because the Spirit intercedes for God’s
the Holy Spirit living in them “are people in accordance with the will
not in the realm of the flesh but are of God” (v. 27).
in the realm of the Spirit” (v. 9). The No wonder Paul can say that “in
apostle makes it clear in this same all things God works for the good of
verse that everyone who belongs to those who love him” (v. 28). What the
Christ also has the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit prays always agrees with
Spirit’s presence obligates us to live God’s will. His requests for us are
“according to the Spirit” (v. 12). We do never refused.
this by living in the power of the Spirit.  While you may sometimes be
God’s Spirit enables us to resist the at a loss for words, the Holy Spirit
impulses of the sinful nature (v. 13). never is. “The Spirit helps us in our
This does not mean that those weakness” (v. 26). He knows just how
who possess the Spirit never struggle. to pray for you.

Pray with Us
God, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for helping us in our
weakness. Thank You for praying for us! Knowing that the Spirit Himself is
praying on our behalf gives us comfort and hope.

32 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 26

Praying for Others

Read Ephesians 1:15–23
I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers.—Ephesians 1:16

Have you ever had a friend ask how would know Christ better. This
they can pray for you? Sometimes this involves more than knowing the
question is hard to answer because truths of the Christian faith. The
there are so many things, we cannot kind of understanding Paul prayed
list them all. At other times we can’t for affects the heart and produces
think of any pressing need. It can be hope. What is the nature of this
even harder when we are praying for hope? It is that those who belong
someone else. to Christ are regarded as God’s
In Ephesians 1:15–23 Paul inheritance (v. 18).
provides us with a template we can The Christian’s hope is the
use when praying for others. Paul expectation that we will experience
begins by giving thanks to God for the power of God. This “incomparably
the Ephesians (v. 15). When pray- great power for us who believe” is
ing for others, we should not pray the same that “raised Christ from
mechanically; we should give some the dead and seated him at his right
thought to their life and circum- hand in the heavenly realm” (vv.
stances beforehand. 19–20). We know Christ both by faith
Next, Paul asks God to increase and by experience. Pray that they
their understanding. The Holy Spirit will experience Christ’s resurrection
had already sealed the Ephesians power as they face today’s challenges.
(v. 13). But Paul prayed that the Ask God to show how Jesus is “head
Holy Spirit would continue to give over everything for the church” and
them wisdom and understanding we are “the fullness of him who fills
so they would know Christ better. everything in every way” (vv. 22–23).
We can pray for the salvation of  Why not use Paul’s template to
others. We can also pray that those write a prayer for someone you know?
who have already trusted in Christ You can also use it to pray for yourself!

Pray with Us
Father, thank You for our believing friends who encourage us to follow You.
Please bless them with the Spirit of wisdom and a growing relationship with
You. Reveal to them Your great power as they face today’s gifts and challenges.

MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE 33

 Day 27

Musical Prayers
Read Ephesians 5:1–20
Sing and make music from
your heart to the Lord.—Ephesians 5:19

Jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald observed, now “light in the Lord” (v. 8). Paul
“The only thing better than singing is does not call Christians to live up to
more singing.” We usually consider an external standard but to live out
singing a form of entertainment. But in the reality of who they are in Christ.
the Scriptures, singing is also a mode Singing is an essential part of this
or prayer. We often say our prayers, lifestyle. Verses 19–20 describe singing
but sometimes we sing them. as a form of congregational self-talk.
When Paul writes about singing When we sing, we are “speaking to
in Ephesians 5, it is in a context that one another with psalms, hymns, and
focuses on the Christian lifestyle. songs from the Spirit” (v. 19).
Its essence is to “walk in the way of Is there any difference between
love” (v. 2). Those who choose this these three? According to Jeremy
way break with their past. Some of Begbie, the term psalm in verse
the features of this former life are 19 may refer to the Old Testament
listed in verses 3–5: sexual immorality, Psalter, but it can also have a broader
impurity, greed, obscene or foolish meaning (1 Cor. 14:26). A hymn is
talk, and coarse joking. Paul offers two a song about God or about Christ.
primary motivations for this change. Songs “from the Spirit” may have been
First, Christians are to lay aside the old songs that “were directly generated by
ways because they are incompatible the Spirit and thus more spontaneous
with the life of the kingdom. These than psalms or hymns.”
things are characteristic of those who  Music is part of the church’s
oppose God (vv. 6–7). prayer vocabulary. Do you have
Second, those who are in Christ a favorite worship song or hymn?
have experienced a radical change. Make that song a part of your prayer
They were “once darkness” but are time today.

Pray with Us
“I love You, Lord / And I lift my voice / To worship You / Oh, my soul rejoice! /
Take joy my King / In what You hear / Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear”
(Laurie Klein).

34 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 28

Saying Grace
Read 1 Timothy 4:1–10
For everything God created is good, and nothing is
to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.—1 Timothy 4:4–5

Do you pray before meals? For many Paul urges us that “everything
years it was customary for families God created is good” and introduces
to pray before every meal. But in our the common practice of giving
modern-day culture, where eating thanks before meals (vv. 4–5). When
together or without distraction has we give thanks for our meal, we
become less popular, many have recognize God’s goodness and
forgotten that practice. Saying a generosity. Some call this practice
blessing before eating is actually a “saying grace” because we are
practice found in Scripture. acknowledging that God is the
In 1 Timothy 4, Paul is addressing source of our food. It comes to
false teaching concerning dietary us as a gift of His grace.
restrictions done for doctrinal reasons. The term grace is related to
Paul warns that “in later times some Latin word gratia which means
will abandon the faith and follow thankfulness. The custom of saying
deceiving spirits and things taught grace is reflected in Deuteronomy
by demons” (v. 1). Two features of 8:10, which urges, “When you have
this false teaching are listed in verse eaten and are satisfied, praise the
3: forbidding people to marry and Lord your God for the good land he
abstention from certain foods. Paul has given you.”
does not explain the reasoning behind  Even Jesus “blessed” the food at
their prohibitions but instead points meals by giving thanks (Matt. 15:36).
out the error. These false teachers did Today, before you eat, take time to
not allow things that “God created acknowledge your food as a gift of
to be received with thanksgiving by God. Maybe this will begin or renew
those who believe and who know a tradition in your family!
the truth” (v. 3).

Pray with Us
Sometimes we’re so busy worrying about the future that we overlook what You
have already provided. With each meal we eat this week, remind us that You are
the source of all needs met. Thank You for giving us our daily bread!

MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE 35

 Day 29

When You Cannot Pray

Read Hebrews 7:11–28
He is able to save completely those who come to God through him,
Because he always lives to intercede for them.—Hebrews 7:25

Eli, the high priest, watched a woman According to Hebrews 7:15, Jesus
praying intensely at the tabernacle in became a priest “not on the basis of a
Shiloh. Hannah’s lips were moving, regulation as to his ancestry but on the
but Eli could hear no words. He basis of the power of an indestructible
mistakenly concluded that she was life.” He is not a Levitical priest but a
mumbling to herself in a drunken priest “in the order of Melchizedek,”
stupor. “How long are you going to the mysterious figure who received
stay drunk? Put away your wine” he tithes from Abraham and gave a
told her. “Not so, my lord,” Hannah blessing to Abraham (Gen. 14).
replied, “I am a woman who is Nothing in Scripture is revealed
deeply troubled. I have not been about Melchizedek’s origin, lineage, or
drinking wine or beer; I was death. Like someone who is “without
pouring out my soul to the Lord” beginning of days or end of life,” he
(1 Sam. 1:12–15). foreshadowed the ministry of Christ.
How would you feel if this Jesus fulfilled all that the law of God
happened to you? It’s bad enough required and died as our atoning
to be misunderstood. But to be so sacrifice on the cross. He rose from the
misunderstood by someone who is dead and “always lives to intercede” for
supposed to represent God seems us (v. 25). Earthly priests and ministers
like more than we can bear. Eli may let you down, but Jesus never will.
was an ordinary priest with many  Let’s face it. There are times when
shortcomings and failures. Jesus, on we simply cannot pray. We may be too
the other hand, is an extraordinary sad or anxious. Sometimes we are at a
priest who surpasses all those who loss for words. When we feel that we
belonged to the old order of the cannot pray, we know that our high
law of Moses. priest, Jesus, always lives to pray for us.

Pray with Us
Lord Jesus, please pray for those who are too depressed to speak. Pray for those
who are too ashamed to seek Your face. Pray for those who are angry at You and
refuse to pray. Pray for those who don’t know how. Thank You, Lord!

36 TODAY IN THE WORD

 Day 30

Calling for Prayer

Read James 5:13–18
Is anyone among you in trouble?
Let them pray.—James 5:13

When you are sick, you call the doctor. But his conditional language makes it
When your pipes spring a leak, you clear that sickness is not always a sign
call the plumber. If your lights don’t of divine judgment. In addition to
work, you call the electrician. Who prayer, the elders are to anoint with
do you call when you have spiritual oil. This act symbolizes the role of the
needs? In James 5:14 we are told to Spirit in healing. It is God who saves
call “the elders of the church.” and raises up. The oil has no inherent
We can certainly pray by healing power. Indeed, James does
ourselves when we are facing trouble. not even say what kind of oil should
This is what verse 13 tells us to do. be used, nor does he prescribe a
But sometimes our problems are so particular form of prayer except to
great that we need the prayer support say that they should do so “in the
of others. The specific example name of the Lord” (v. 14).
James gives is that of illness. The fact Humility is a prerequisite to
that the elders must be called may effective prayer. Those who pray in
indicate that the one who needs the manner James prescribes should
prayer is too sick to go to them. Verse confess their sins to each other and
15 shows that prayer can make a pray for one another. Far from being
difference in such circumstances. We an empty ritual, prayer for others is
pray for the sick because God is able “powerful and effective” (v. 16).
to “raise them up.”  Like Elijah, the great prayer
James also says that God warriors in the church’s history have
will forgive in response to prayer, only been ordinary people who
indicating that sickness is sometimes believed in the power of prayer. This
a consequence of divine discipline. same power is available to you today.

Pray with Us
“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty
and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is
the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all” (1 Chron. 29:11).

MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE 37

 Day 31

The God Who Hears

Read 1 John 5:13–17
This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.—1 John 5:14

Our anxieties about prayer usually a machine,” C. S. Lewis observed.

spring from the same question. It is “It is not magic. It is not advice
not a question of what God can do. It offered to God.”
is a question of what God will do. The The key to whether or not God
fear that God will ignore us is at the grants our requests does not lie in
heart of most of our concerns about the form of words we use or even the
prayer. We do not want to be ignored degree of confidence we have that He
or our desires to be dismissed. We are can do what we ask. The determining
afraid that in the end, despite what factor has to do with God’s own plan.
Jesus told us, God will indeed prove to The fundamental aim of prayer is not
be like the unjust judge of the parable to get God to agree with us and follow
(Luke 18:1–9). our agenda. Instead, the goal of prayer
In contrast to this fear, John makes is to subdue our hearts to the point
two astonishing and related promises where we agree with God. It is the
in today’s passage. John says that God spirit reflected in the words of Christ
hears us if we ask anything that agrees when He prayed, “yet not my will, but
with His will. If God hears us, our yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
request will be granted (v. 14). This  These words are easier to pray
confidence motivates us to approach than to mean them. We will only be
God boldly in prayer. Yet we know able to pray them genuinely when we
from experience that this cannot be a believe the promise of 1 John 5:14 that
guarantee that we will always get what God truly hears us. He knows what we
we want when we pray. “Prayer is not need. We can trust His answer.

Pray with Us
Father, do in the world and in our lives what You have purposed to do. Please
conform our values and desires to Your will, so that our prayers may be in tune
with what You desire. Nurture our trust in You and Your will.

38 TODAY IN THE WORD

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