August 29 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Philippians 4:1-9:

¹Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
²I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
³And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.
⁴Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
⁵Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
⁶Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
⁹Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Devotional

On the Lord's Day we go to the house of prayer to present our prayers and supplications before the throne of grace. Prayer is an important part of the worship service. The whole congre­gation of the Lord implores God for his blessings and gives thanks for all his benefits. Our prayers must be earnest prayers. They must be supplications. Jesus in the garden "prayed more earnestly." Our prayers and supplications must be made with thanksgiving. Though we may not yet have that for which we pray we should be thankful that God has promised to hear and answer our prayers.

Jehoshaphat and his people praised the Lord as they went up against their enemies because the victory was promised them. Jesus in the days of his flesh "offered up prayers and supplica­tions with strong crying and tears," and He was heard. Now as we pray "with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit," we are heard for his sake.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
   O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, teach us to pray; help us to believe that Thou dost hear our prayer; that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. We must deplore before Thee, that, when it comes to praying, we are often so cold and in­different. Grant us to cast all our burdens upon Thee, knowing that Thou carest for us. And may we be thankful for all Thy blessings. Hear our prayer for Thy name's sake. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Luke 22:44; 2 Chron. 20:21, 22; Heb. 5:7; Eph. 6:18.

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