"Prayer Changes Everything" Devotion for Today

17 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Eternal Blessings and Joy" Psalm 21:6 New International Version 6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. This verse lies within a psalm of David, celebrating God's strength and provision. When reflecting on this verse, consider how God continually blesses us, not just with material things but with the joy found in His presence. It reminds us that the true source of lasting joy and contentment is not in our temporary circumstances but in our relationship with God. In your daily life, seek this joy by spending time with God through prayer and worship. Remember that His blessings are ongoing and abundant. God's presence can transform any situation, bringing a sense of peace and fulfillment that surpasses all understanding. May you find encouragement in knowing that God's blessings and joy are available to you each day. Allow His presence to fill your heart, making it glad beyond measure. In times of uncertainty or struggle, lean on this assurance: God is with you, and His joy is your strength.

16 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Live at Peace" Romans 12:18 New Living Translation 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Forgiveness is a tricky thing, isn't it? It's also very misunderstood. Are we supposed to forgive someone who isn't sorry? What if we seek forgiveness but the person doesn't extend it to us? Attempting to live at peace with people (and Paul did say everyone!) can cause a person to lose a little joy if she doesn't focus on the entire instruction. Paul says, “Do all that you can” (emphasis added). Have you intentionally or unintentionally hurt someone? Then you need to attempt to make peace. Whether or not that person forgives you is between him and God. Has someone hurt you and you harbor ill feelings toward her? You need to forgive her (Ephesians 4:32).Whether or not that person comes to you and seeks forgiveness is between her and God. Freedom and joy come when we do all we can do to live at peace and leave the rest to God.

15 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Lord Reigns" 1 Chronicles 16:31 New Living Translation 31 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”  Do you ever listen to national or world news and feel as if everything is spinning completely out of control? There's anger on the Internet, divisions within families, and war across the globe. No wonder people feel overwhelmed. A lot of the uncertainty comes when we forget that God is still in control of His creation. It doesn't matter what takes place or what disasters are predicted, God's world is firmly established and nothing can happen without His knowledge (1Chronicles 16:30). A professor once said, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God? “Nothing scares or surprises the Lord who reigns over all. Confusion and chaos will never lead to a life of joy. Living joyfully is possible only when we remember that the Lord reigns. Whatever today, tomorrow, or next year may bring, we'll rejoice knowing that God has it all under control.

14 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "A Joyful Transportation" 1 Samuel 1:18 New International Version 18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 1 Samuel 1:18 says, "'May your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast." In this verse, we see a moment of transformation for Hannah. She was deeply troubled and grieved because she was unable to have children. After pouring out her heart to God in prayer and speaking with Eli the priest, she finds relief and hope. Her demeanor changes from sorrow to peace because she trusts in God's plan for her. This verse reminds us of the power of prayer and faith. When we entrust our burdens to God, we can find peace, even if our circumstances haven't changed immediately. It's a testament to how faith can uplift our spirits and fill us with hope. May we learn from Hannah's example to seek God earnestly in our times of need and trust in His timing and goodness. Remember, God hears your prayers, and His favor and peace can restore your heart.

13 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Battle of the Sides" 2 Samuel 2:14-15 New Living Translation 14 Then Abner suggested to Joab, “Let’s have a few of our warriors fight hand to hand here in front of us. “All right,” Joab agreed. 15 So twelve men were chosen to fight from each side—twelve men of Benjamin representing Ishbosheth son of Saul, and twelve representing David. In 2 Samuel 2:14, we read, "Then Abner said to Joab, 'Let's have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us.'" This verse sets the scene for a battle between the forces of Saul's followers and those of David. Here, Abner and Joab, commanders of opposing sides, propose a contest ofstrength and skill. As you reflect on this passage, consider the way our choices can lead to conflict or peace. Abner and Joab's decision resulted in a tragic battle. We, too, have choices each day that can affect our lives and those around us. In your own life, are you choosing actions and words that lead to peace and unity? Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Seek to be a peacemaker in your relationships and decisions. Pray for wisdom to make choices that reflect love andreconciliation, even in difficult situations. Remember that God calls us to live in harmony with others, relying on His strength and guidance every day.

12 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Imitators of God" Ephesians 5:1 New Living Translation 5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Be yourself, they say. But sometimes it's a little scary to own one's true self, the person God designed each of us to be, because that person doesn't fit in as well as the next one. But true joy comes when we dare to be who we're made to be, quirks and all. Quirky isn't synonymous with flawed. “Outside the box” isn't a bad thing. Jesus was very outside the box. So were John the Baptist, Hosea, Deborah, Esther...and so on. As you grow and mature in the Lord, certain interests, strengths, and traits will show themselves, and some of them might be a little unusual. Maybe you've discovered you'd rather serve homeless men and prostitutes than have a moretraditional ministry. Or perhaps you love motorcycles and dreadlocks more than sedans and refined haircuts. Maybe you'd rather adopt six kids than bear your own biological children. Good news: you don't have to conform to any particular, idealized Christian image except for one: Jesus Himself.  

11 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Bountiful Goodness" Psalm 13:6 New Living Translation 6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. How do you view your lot in life? Are you in awe of what God has done with you, through you, and for you? Or did you think at this point you'd have or be more? Many people miss out on joy by failing to recognize the goodness of God in their lives. David was able to live joyfully because he knew how good the Lord had been to him. He understood the mercy of God and that He doesn't deal with us according to our sins (Psalm103:10). There was an old pastor who, when asked how he was, would always respond, “Better than I deserve.” If we had the same understanding, we'd be singing joyfully to the Lord every day for all the good He's done.

10 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Enduring the Cross"  Hebrews 12:2 New Living Translation 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. [a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. They call it “driving distracted" if you get caught focusing on something other than the road in front of you while behind the wheel. While this kind of distraction is against the law, many of us live distracted every day. One of Satan's greatest tricks is to keep us so busy looking at the latest shiny thingthat we lose sight of our Savior. Whatever captures our attention will hold our gaze. We forget what really matters when we are distracted by worthless things (Psalm 119:37). The world is full ofworthless things that will catch our eye and steal our joy. If we take our eyes off Jesus, we will lose sight of God's plan for our life. God wants you to run the race He has planned for you without distractions. He wants you to keep your eyes fixed on Him so you can persevere, so you will not “grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). The joy waiting for you at the end of the race will keep you going until the race is won. 

09 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Gladness in the Calm" Psalm 107:30 New Living Translation 30 What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! Every person encounters a stormy season. It's always better to be prepared, but more often than no, the storm sneaks up on us. A job is out sourced, a spouse leaves, or a dream is crushed, and without warning we find ourselves in the midst of a raging sea. Thankfully, the storm never catches God by surprise, and He's never unprepared. We can rejoice knowing that He's in complete control of His creation and even the waves must obey His voice (Matthew 8:27). There isn't a single storm thatdoesn't have to become still at His command. This world seems to be one storm after another. It often seems that this one may just be the one that takes us under. We can live joyfully amid life's storms knowing that one day, God will quiet the waves one final time and guide us tothe harbor we've longed for.

8 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Day of the Lord is Near" Zephaniah 1:7 New International Version 7 Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited. Are you ever desperate to hear from God? Do you feel you could possibly receive a word from Him if your life just wasn't so loud? Life can be so chaotic and overwhelming that it seems to drown out the voice of the Father. We often rob ourselves of our own joy because we take on responsibilities we were never meant to handle. For instance, we see a verse about being silent and we begin thinking about ways to make our world quieter. We attempt to silencepeople; we look for ways to accomplish tasks faster so we'll have more downtime. But God doesn't tell us to make our surroundings silent. God wants us, not our environment, to be silent and still. If we'll quiet our spirits, God can speak over any noise that may be going on around us. If we desire the joy that comes from hearing from the Father, we need to work on silencing the only thing we can control - ourselves.

07 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Unshakable Faith" Job 13:15 New Living Translation 15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. Christ makes a difference in how people grieve. For Christ followers, joy and hope can be ever-present even during tragedy. Scripture doesn't say that we won't grieve, but that we shouldn't grieve like those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Job and his wife experienced unspeakable losses and responded differently. Job's wife suggested Job curse God and die (Job 2:9), while Job was determined to cling to God. The same thing that enabled Job to maintain his hope can enable any believer to live joyfully in any situation. Job had an intimate relationship with God long before tragedy struck. It had always been Job's custom to rise early and pray (Job 1:5). He was completely devoted to God before the heartache and loss. Life is hard and no one makes it through unscathed, but there's joy for the one who's decided toremain faithful to God.

06 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Friends and Foes" 2 Timothy 4:10-12 New Living Translation 10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. There's a misconception in the world that fame and fortune make people extraordinary, and the rest of us, well, we're just the ordinary ones. Do you ever struggle with feeling as if you're living an ordinary life? Tychicus probably would haveunderstood. Paul's name is mentioned more than one hundred times in Scripture. He served the Lord, loved believers, and suffered greatly, and he did it all well. He was, to put it mildly, extraordinary. No less amazing, however, was Tychicus, who delivered letters from Paul's prison cell to the people in Ephesus. His role of bringing the message was no less important than Paul's role of writing it. We can begin living joyfully when we understand that ordinary is okay. Whether or not our names are mentioned one hundred times, we're known by the God who created us (Isaiah 43:1). What you do each day matters if you're doing it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

05 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Call to Endurance" Hebrews 12:1 New Living Translation 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Runners have lots of mottos. Here's a favorite: “I'd rather be the slowest runner in a race any time than a spectator for a lifetime.” In other words, watching someone run is no match for the thrill of participating in a race, no matter your pace or fitness level. Similarly, there's a great deal of joy to be had inlife even when you're no marathoner, as long as you just keep moving. Sitting on the sidelines, wondering if those Christians might be on to something but too fearful to find out, is not the road to fulfillment. Here's hope: if you're a born-again believer, you're already in the race. Maybe you started much later than 90 percent of your Christian friends. Maybe you fell down again and again during the first fifteen laps. But you're in the race. You're not a spectator, watching life go by. So just keep moving, with youreyes on the prize: Jesus Himself.

04 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Is with Us" Psalm 46:11 New Living Translation 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. In biblical times; the strongest protection against an enemy. was a fortress. In the Bible, God is compared to a bulwark or a rampart, which is a fortification, wall, or embankment built to protect the warriors who shot arrows, threw lances or rocks, or poured boiling water or oil down on the attacking enemy. Therefore, a fortress with built-in ramparts or bulwarks was the ultimate protection for those being attacked. In several psalms, the Lord is referred to as "my fortress, “my bulwark,” or “my rampart.” The author of those psalms acknowledged God as his: ultimate protection from the weapons of Satan. God is not only our most powerful defense, He's our only protection. No earthly weapon. Or defense system is adequate to safeguard us from the “flaming arrows ofthe evil one" (Ephesians 6:16). How do we seek refuge in our Fortress? We must first believe Jesus is Lord and Savior, then worship Him, study His Word, and repent of our sins. And rejoice, knowing His protection is ours!

03 October 2025 Daily Devotion: “Praise for Righteous Judgment” Psalm 9:4 New Living Translation 4 For you have judged in my favor; from your throne you have judged with fairness. No matter what happens to us here on earth, no matter how our rights might be trampled or whatever is important to us might be crushed, we can know that eventually God, the Righteous Judge, will hand down His ruling, and all humandoubters, abusers, accusers, or persecutors will be overruled and punished. When God says we should not seek revenge upon our enemies because He'll be the avenger, He means just that! What joy we can embrace just by knowing that one day, either here on earth or in heaven, every offense ever committed against us will be avenged by God Himself. We can know that all wrongs will be made right! What joy is ours when we know that God's love for us is so high, wide, and deep that He'll correct every wrong ever done to us! God sees and hears our hurts. Trust Him to make things right.