Our Daily Bread: Beyond Camp Family EditionMuestra

Let’s Pray

After praying with a friend over the phone, I drove my son to school. When another driver ran a stop sign, I slammed on the brakes.

“Thanks for protecting us, God,” I said before proceeding.

The jarring stop triggered a flare-up of a back injury from years earlier.

“Be my strength, Lord,” I said.

After I parked, I thanked God for our safe travels. My son helped me out of the car.

“Why do you pray about everything, Mom?”

I smiled. “Because I need God.”

He glanced at the students entering the school. “Let’s pray first.”

In the Bible, James introduces multiple situations in which believers in Jesus can turn to God in prayer. When we’re “suffering hardships,” we can pray. When we’re “happy,” James says we can praise God in song. When we’re “sick,” James urges believers to call for “the elders of the church” to pray and minister. He stresses the power of community when encouraging believers to support one another through confession and prayer.

Perhaps your time at camp encouraged you to spend more time in prayer. In mentioning Elijah, a mighty man of prayer and a regular “human,” James reveals three truths that can cause our prayer life to grow: God welcomes our earnest prayers; hears all our prayers; and responds to every prayer according to His perfect plan, pace, and purpose.

As God’s beloved image bearers empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are people of prayer. So, even after camp is over and we’re all back at home, let’s pray!

Xochitl Dixon

How does knowing that God welcomes and hears your prayers deepen your desire to pray? How can you pray for someone who may not be ready to pray with you this week?

The God who hears, thank You for being a wonderful listener. Please help us to make prayer a priority in our lives.