Friday Devotional | October 16, 2020

The chill blew in yesterday afternoon and the ground is littered with leaves and pine needles. It’s only a glimpse of the season to come. While temperatures today won’t get out of the fifties, I’m told we will see temperatures near ninety by Sunday before settling into the seventies. Some days, it can be hard to decide what to wear. This is especially true when things appear unpredictable from one day to the next.

As the Virus surges a third time in America and around the globe, uncertainty swells. After today, there are 75 days left in 2020. There is an angst about the future. 2021 seems anything but a sure thing.

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Imagine, if we, like Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th President, were faced with making big decisions that determine the course of a nation and the future for generations to follow. What would we do?

Lincoln led the nation during the most turbulent, divided time in America’s history. Where did Lincoln turn in his hour of desperation? What did Lincoln do when he faced BIG decisions?

History teaches us that in his hour of need, Lincoln turned to God in prayer. Those who knew him said that America’s 16th President prayed frequently and fervently, especially during the difficulties of the Civil War. Evidence of Lincoln leaning on prayer is evidenced in his letters and speeches.

As we’ve focused on decision-making during our devotions this week, I am convinced prayer forms the foundation of making sound decisions.

So, as we walk towards tomorrow let us turn to God in prayer and let us seek His guidance as we prepare for the future. Surely, if prayer served Lincoln well, prayer can benefit us, too.

7 Tips for Prayer:

1. Pray frequently.

2. Pray fervently.

3. Pray privately.

4. Pray publicly.

5. Record your prayers in a journal or in some written form.

6. Share times of prayer with those you love.

7. Turn to God in prayer both in your hour of need and during times when things are going well.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you believe in the power of prayer?

2. In what ways has prayer made a difference in your life?

3. Do you write down your prayers?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the blessing of prayer. May we employ this gift in our hour of need and commune with You with confidence in its power as we go throughout the day. Help is grow in prayer, seeking You with all humility and in the fullness of Your grace. Hear our prayers. Heal our land. Heal Your people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

May the Lord shower You with His grace and mercy. 

Blessings,

The Devotional Guy™

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