Day of Praise

Tues, 07/04/17, Independence Day, "Day of Praise"

Today's devotion is a call to simplicity, prayer, and thankfulness. May such be renewed and abound in This The Greatest Country in the World! Here's today's devotional: 

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

When I was a kid, either 3 or 4 years old, my brother, Ben, got the coolest race car track for Christmas. It was curvy and red. When our family shared mealtime prayers, we'd all add a "P.S." after the group prayer, and for weeks, maybe months, I'd pray, "P.S. Dear Jesus, thank you for Ben's red race track."

I think this must be why Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). 

Children can be happy with the simplest things. Yes, I believe in today's verse from James 5:16 that God can and does work physical healing through the prayers of those who trust in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And I also believe that there is a powerful healing that happens when we have a child-like happiness in the "simplest thing" of being prayed for. 

I don't know about you. But I thank the Lord that when somebody tells me that they pray for me, I feel happier than if they'd told me that I'd just won a bazillion dollars. 

Or when someone tells me they appreciate me. Wow! That's better than a gazillion dollars, which is like a bazillion bazillion. 

Or when somebody keeps a letter you wrote. Or wishes you sweet dreams before you go to bed. Or like I tell my kids, who are aged 18-24, "Jesus is with you all night long."

These are the simple things. The child-like things. The kingdom of heaven things. The righteous things. The things that heal. The things of God. 

They don't cost a penny. 

And yet they're worth more than all the gold and silver in the world. 

But, of course, a little red race car track to a 4-year old might come close. Indeed, "P.S. Dear Jesus, thank you for Ben's red race track."

And for all the simple things that bring heaven to the heart of a child...

and to every adult who hasn't lost touch with the healing power of the simple prayers and ways of a child...

and to every nation who hasn't lost touch with its need for God, God's word, and God's simple promise to every nation that will pray as we hear in the Bible in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

Today's devotion is a call to simplicity, prayer, and thankfulness. May such be renewed and abound in This The Greatest Country in the World!

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

Praise God!