Wednesday, September 08, 2010

No Request Too Small

Read Psalm 34:1-10

Pray without ceasing.

-1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NRSV)
Follow us on
twitterfacebook

"YOU prayed about a lost pen?" my friend exclaimed. I assured her that we did and that we found Bill's treasured pen inside his suit pocket the next day. My friend felt that to pray for something as insignificant as a pen was exploiting God's goodness and mercy. I disagreed with her and explained that we pray about things like lost pens, unexpected dinner guests, rude remarks, and all things that are a part of our everyday lives. When our prayers are answered, we celebrate with thanksgiving for God's graciousness. We see God as a member of our family, and God celebrates with us too. When we include God in every aspect of our lives, we feel closeness and intimacy with our Creator.

Jesus told his disciples, "Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive" (Matt. 21:22). I well remember whispering my favorite plea on the evenings when unexpected dinner guests would show up for dinner and I'd prepared food only for the seven in our family. "Please, Lord, loaves and fishes." (See Mark 6:34-44.) God knows what I mean by that prayer, and we have never had guests leave the table hungry.

Whether our prayer requests are large or small, God responds with joy to our trust.

Mary E. Dess (California, USA)

Prayer
Dear Father, help us understand that you want to be involved in every detail of our lives, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Amen.

Thought for the Day
To learn about centering prayer, go to www.upperroom.org.

Prayer Focus

Those seeking deeper fellowship with God

| September 7, 2010 | September 8, 2010 |



© 1996-2010 The Upper Room®. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Upper Room® and design logos are trademarks owned by The Upper Room, Nashville, TN.

Read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

 






Sign up to receive our

Now Free!
Read The Upper Room


Centering Prayer Exercise
"Centering Prayer does not require constant use of a mantra or consciousness of breathing or any effort of exerted attention. Letting go of all our efforts, we simply sit with the intention of surrendering to God." Try a Centering Prayer Exercise from author J. David Muyskens.  
 More»

Start Your Meetings with a Devotional
Use The Upper Room to start each meeting out right -- connecting to God. Use this list of topics of meditations from the current issue of the magazine to help match the meditation to the meeting.
 More»

Writers Workshops Led by Upper Room Editors
Looking for ways to sharpen your writing skills? Workshops led by editors from The Upper Room magazine will be offered at a number of regional writers’ conferences in 2010.
 More»

Upper Room Home Upper Room Home