Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Prayer and Word

Reading: 1 Tim.2:1-8

Key Verse: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone” verse 1

Here is another “first” in order to “seek first the kingdom of God”. Prayer must become a priority in our lives if we are to be genuine disciples of Jesus. This links with yesterday because if we are to “love one another” we are not only to practically “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal.6:2), we are also to spiritually “pray for one another” (James 5:16). We looked at the subject of prayer in our June devotional so we will not repeat its lessons here; except to say that if we are to be true followers of Jesus we should be prepared to rise early to pray (Mark 1:35), pray often (Luke 5:16), pray at night (Luke 6:12), pray when happy (Luke 10:21) and pray when burdened (Mark 14:32-36). In fact we should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess.5:17)

To “seek first the kingdom of God” also involves seeking the word of God. In particular Psalm 119 equates seeking God “with all their heart” to seeking His word. This may be through personal study of the Bible, using teaching materials or by enrolling on a course. Like Job, we should desire and treasure God’s word even more than our daily food (Job 23:12, Acts 6:2-4).

Prayer: Lord, just like the disciples I give myself to prayer and to the word of God