I offer this prayer for Christians everywhere, but especially for our pastors, teachers and missionaries. Enlighten them with your word and enrich their faith. Encourage them in their work and empower them as they witness and teach. May their lives be good examples and may their flocks respond positively to their leadership and lessons.
Methodist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, Pentecostal, High Church or Low, Saturday worship or Sunday, written liturgy or spontaneous service, saying “trespasses” or “debts” in prayer – what difference does it really make? We’re all worshiping the same God; it’s just that we’re worshiping him in different rooms in the same house. Some rooms are fancy and some quite plain, some are noisy while others are sedate, some are traditional and others are quite modern, but they are all in the House of God. Let’s not allow denominational or minor theological differences keep us from being brothers and sisters in Christ.
Thank you, Jesus, for providing us with a church family. We can gather together, hear your word, offer prayers and praise, and even come together at your table. We are such a diverse group: young and old, wealthy and poor, coming from all walks of life. Some people are secure in their faith while others are filled with doubt. Yet we all share one thing in common: we all are sinners! Thank you for welcoming sinners into your family, and thank you for your healing hand of forgiveness so that we can begin each day anew.
Devotions of the Heart 