October 18, 2026
Pray First
We do not battle life alone. God is there. Every minute. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. He reaches out, nudges us, reminds us to be kind, brave, loving and righteous. When we forget we are the sons and daughters of the King, we stumble. Instead, breathe deep, feel His presence and let victory swallow ego and emotion. Praise God in every circumstance. Difficult times can lead to moments of great blessings. Our vision is limited. God sees the forever we cannot see.
We should pray for everything. God knows what we need but He wants us to tell Him anyway. Pray in faith, knowing God can and will answer. He wants to bless us. Perhaps He is more open when we pray for others, when we seek peace and blessings for the world, and food for the hungry. Sometimes I struggle for words. I am grateful for my comfort, the pillows at my back, a comfortable chair, and a home that is safe from weather. I imagine the homeless camps. Loud. Unsafe. Intrusive. How difficult it might be to surrender to God. Immediately I know how to pray. They need peace. Safety, a word from God. They need to be seen and respected. Whether people are challenged by drugs, alcohol, crime or dementia, they inevitably feel further from God. They need Jesus to walk through the camp. The next time I want to be critical of someone who is currently challenged in their walk with the Lord, I plan to put on their circumstances for a minute and storm Heaven.
We need to do more abiding with the Lord. Abide! That requires us to talk to Him every day. To pray, read the Word, and treat our relationship with Him with respect and honor. He wants to bless us! He wants to hear our heart for others and bless them because of our prayers.
Our assignment has always been to care for people. Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[e] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-38. Pray for them. Bless Your enemies. Turn the other cheek. Ask God to feed, heal or touch the suffering.
Dear Lord, It is so easy to pray for my own needs. Whether small or big, our desires for things seem important. But sometimes those needs are more lust for the things of the world than they are legitimate needs. Forgive me Lord, when I succumb to selfish prayers. Help me focus on more true needs. Wars. Disasters. Starvation. The lost. The end times. Help me remember You may have put me here for such a time as this.
Effective Prayer
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7