Month: August 2025

2 Chronicles 7: 14 (ESV)

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Reflection

In today’s Bible verse, God extends a powerful invitation to His people, rooted in grace and responsibility. He calls those “who are called by His name” to humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. Each of these actions reflects a heart posture that draws us closer to God—humility that sets aside pride, prayer that acknowledges our dependence on Him, seeking that reflects desire for His presence, and repentance that aligns us with His holiness. These aren’t one-time acts but a continual lifestyle that demonstrates genuine faith. God is not distant; He is attentive and responsive when His people approach Him in sincerity.

The promise that follows is profound: God will hear, forgive, and heal. This is not only personal but communal—He desires to restore entire lands, families, and nations. The characteristics highlighted in this verse—humility, prayerfulness, pursuit of God, and repentance—are marks of a transformed heart. In a world filled with noise and self-reliance, God’s people are called to return to these foundational truths. When we do, we open the door for divine restoration, not only in our lives but in the places we inhabit. God’s healing begins with our humility.

Food for thought

• Am I seeking God’s presence or just His blessings?
• Are there habits, thoughts, or attitudes I need to turn away from to walk in obedience?
• Do I truly believe that God wants to heal and restore—not just individuals, but entire communities and nations?
• How can I be part of God’s healing work in my home, church, or nation?

Prayer

Lord God, we humble ourselves before You, confessing our need for Your mercy and grace. Forgive us for our pride and sin. Teach us to pray with sincere hearts, to seek Your face, and to turn from anything that separates us from You.

Heal our hearts, our homes, and our land. Let Your forgiveness and restoration flow through us, and may revival begin in our lives today.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Submitted by Austin Davidson

Through humble prayer, we have a direct and awesome connection to the God of the universe… 24/7.

Deuteronomy 4:7 (ESV)

For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?

Reflection

What a Powerful scripture Moses is speaking to the people of Israel!  Moses is not just reminding the people of God’s Laws, but he is also explaining to them the unique relationship they have with the Lord. Moses is letting them know that the Lord our God isn’t like the other gods that the other nations serve. 

The one thing that separates the Lord our God from other gods is that He is near, and He is responsive to His people. And most of all, He is real!   What a joy to have a personal relationship and a connection with Him through humble prayer. 

 Food for thought

• What a blessing to know that we Serve a God who will walk with us, direct us, and listen to us.  How do we take full advantage of this awesome gift?
• He is always near.  This verse is a powerful reminder that God is never far off. How can we remember this when He may seem far away?
• As you read this Scripture, be encouraged to know the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth is close and attentive to His people.  Do you find strength and courage knowing this?

Prayer

Father God, I want to thank You that not only do You love me, but You listen to me. And You also respond, I pray for anyone who the enemy may be lying to and telling them that You don’t hear. I pray as they read this Scripture that they would be encouraged knowing that You are close, and that You would never leave them or forsake them. Thank You that you aren’t distant.  Thank You that You are listening and full of love. Remind us, Lord, that we are never alone and that Your presence surrounds us always.  Amen.

Submitted by Jason Bolden

Jonah 2:1 (ESV)

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish. 

Reflection

Jonah’s story reminds us that prayer doesn’t always begin in peaceful, quiet moments. It often begins from a place of desperation. Jonah ran from God’s calling and found himself in the belly of a fish.  It was literally the darkest place of his life. Yet even there, Jonah prayed. His cry from the deep was raw and honest and real.  And God heard him. Prayerfulness isn’t about polished words or perfect circumstances. It’s about recognizing that God is always near, even in our lowest moments, and He is always listening. Jonah’s prayer was the beginning of his turnaround, both physically and spiritually.

Just like with Jonah, we are invited to pray not only when we’ve done everything right, but especially when we’ve gotten it wrong. Prayerfulness in these moments is a sign of trust; trusting that God’s grace is greater than our failure and that His mercy reaches to the deepest, darkest places inside us. God doesn’t wait for us to get back on dry land to hear us.  He meets us in the mess, in the dark, in the belly of our own fish. That kind of prayerful life, marked by honesty and dependence, draws us into transformation and reminds us of God’s relentless love and grace.

Food for Thought

• Have you ever found yourself in a belly of the fish moment where prayer was all you had? What did God show you in that time?
• What keeps you from being honest in prayer during difficult or messy seasons of life?
• Is there someone you know who feels stuck or lost? How could you pray for them right now, right where they are?

Prayer

Gracious heavenly Father, thank You that no place is too far, too dark, or too messy for Your presence. Thank You for hearing us even when we’re in the deep, dark places. Teach us to be people of prayerfulness. Not just in calm, steady moments, but in crisis, confusion, and brokenness. Help us to trust You enough to pray with honesty and courage, knowing You hear and respond in love. Amen.

Submitted by Michelle Yorick

James 5:13 (ESV)

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.

Reflection

In this section of the book of James, James shares about the power of prayer when we are suffering, sick, confused or have lost our way.  This week as we think about prayerfulness, it really isn’t just a powerful gift to talk to God when we are in trouble, it is a powerful gift for the rhythm of our lives in general.  Prayerfulness is considering God’s ideal in every situation, every struggle and in every blessing.  Prayerfulness is the daily “go to” for every decision and every direction.  There will be many changing moments in our lives.  Entering them with prayerfulness gives us better assurance that the other side of those moments are God honoring and life-giving. 

Jesus has opened up for us this dialogue with God through Him.  He wants us to be intimate and close to our Father God.  He wants us to seek His wisdom and long for His way.  God wants the best for us always.  Living prayerfully keeps us in the palm of our loving Father’s hand and in the direction of His will.

Food for Thought

• When was a time that you entered a changing moment with much prayerfulness?  What difference did it make?
• What are a couple ways you could grow in your prayerfulness with God? 
• How could you help your friends enter key moments in their lives with prayer?  Could you bring them to Jesus through prayer in their time of need or decision?

Prayer

 Gracious Father, we thank You that you have opened heaven to us and that Your ears are always open to hearing our prayer.  Make our heart tender for a deeper and more prayerful journey with You. Speak to our souls as we come to You in prayer in every moment.  Amen! 

Submitted by Pastor Craig

Hannah enters her God moment with prayerfulness and humility. Read the following passage and discover how you might do the same.

1 Samuel 1: 11 (ESV)

And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” 

(For more of the story, read 1 Samuel Chapters 1—2.)

Reflection

Hannah’s story is an amazing one that gives us wonderful insight into prayer and humility before God. Among these revelations are:

• Hannah’s prayer was not answered immediately.  But we learn from Scripture that she kept praying, consistently asking God for a son.  For years she endured the pain of being childless and the constant ridicule from her husband’s other wife.  But she did not give up.  She trusted God and was humble as to how God would answer her prayers.  
• Hannah offered something to God in her on-going prayers:  If He would grant her a son, she would give him to God at an early age for a lifetime of service to the Kingdom.  God, in His omniscience, knew that Hannah would in-fact keep this promise.  When her beloved and long-awaited son Samuel was three years old, she placed him in the temple with Eli, the Chief Priest in Israel, where his entire life would be one of service to God.
• God used Samuel – the result of Hannah’s prayers – to do mighty things in Israel.  Samuel was one of the priestly pillars of the Old Testament.
• It is Hannah’s prayerful nature that always sought God in her difficult life and humility to accept whatever God had in mind – not her own gain but the gain and praise of God. 
• Hannah called herself “God’s servant” and acknowledged God’s power and sovereignty. She was humble and recognized her dependence on God. 

Food for Thought

• How can each of us apply Hannah’s prayerfulness and humbleness to our most pressing needs?
• Although they are not necessary, what promises or sacrifices are we willing to make when our prayers are answered?
• How do we ensure that we fulfill those promises to God after He has answered our prayers?

Prayer

Most gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Holy Word and the lessons we can find in it daily.  Lord, as we pray, help us to do so consistently, with a pure and expectant heart.  Thank You for showing us what amazing things You can do through our prayers to You.  We pray this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Submitted by Dan Houston