April 23
"Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer." -Romans 12: 10-11 (NET)
These wise words of the Apostle Paul to the Christians in first century Rome are treasures for us today. Paul tells us "mutual love" is not easy. It requires "eagerness", effort, zeal, and "honoring" others. Such love also means helping others to become better and healthier people. "Mutual love" can require our time, money, or personal involvement. It is the homemade soup for our sick neighbor or the phone call to someone grieving. Christ himself showed by his life and teachings that we should honor ALL people by treating them with respect including those of different races, the handicapped, poor, young old, male, or female. Persistent prayer can not only enable us to do this successfully today and everyday but will enable us to endure in suffering and rejoice in hope!
It is not easy to be a Christian in a secular culture then or now. Yet Paul tells us the secret to success is to "persist in prayer." The Greek word for this phrase is proskarterountes. This is a strong word implying persistence, insistence, and perseverance. Paul realizes most of us struggle to spend enough real time in prayer and to keep a prayerful attitude. He is encouraging all Christians throughout time, including us today, to persevere in faithful prayer every day because it is our direct access to God for spiritual discernment and strength. Faithfulness in persistent prayer is the primary means by which God's Kingdom advances on earth. It is also one of the most powerful ways we bring God's healing, protection, wisdom, strength, and love to others.
Prayer: Lord, Enable me to persist in prayer even when tired. Thank you for helping me to offer gifts of hope and mutual love to others today. Amen.
Meditation For The Day: Effective prayer requires persistence, insistence, and perseverance.
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)
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