Pray Always

Romans 12:12 NIV

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Last year, I was reading and came across a line that made me stop. It said, “this moment in time is as good as it will ever be.” So, I asked myself if this is how I approach each moment. 

In Romans, Paul teaches us that we are the body of Christ. In communion with everyone, we both serve and receive. It is not about us as an individual, and yet it is us—all of us. Each one of us, as our gifts allow, share and serve, yet we need to be served in moments of trouble. 

Paul commands, “be joyful!” We are loved in every moment of our lives- good or bad. We hope, dream, pray, plan, and anticipate– why not do it joyfully? And as we love others our time, effort, and actions bring hope and joy to those around us.

There is hope in the process of serving to make a moment better. I hope that I will be loved by those around me. But most of all I am joyful that each new moment is filled with God’s love. It is as good as that moment will ever be because God shares it with me. Let us walk in the ways of Jesus and share our hope with all who need it.

But what of the moments that are filled with affliction? They are not joyful or filled with hope. We all suffer hardship, pain, sickness, adversity, and sorrow. These are the moments when darkness hides from us what we know in our hearts. These are the moments when we must remember to accept the help of those around us in the body of Christ. Paul tells us, "patience in affliction." 

Waiting patiently and humbly, the body of Christ will join us and shine a light for us to see by. Prayer is the bridge we cross to connect with the body of Christ that surrounds us. Be faithful in prayer. Be loyal, true, and unwavering in prayer. Follow Jesus in our appeals, pleas, service, worship, communion, devotion, and grace.

Prayer

May God give me the faith to patiently pray in all things so that I am joyful and hope-filled. May the light shine brightly so that I see the good in the moments of all my days as I live in the body of Christ. Amen

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Julie George.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.