Tag: Prayer

Devotionals

Your Prayers Are Heard  

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 10:1-13 NLT – Daniel’s Vision of a Messenger – In – Bible Gateway

“Then he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.’” Daniel 10:12 NLT

 Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Have you even doubted if God hears your prayers? Do you get the feeling your prayers are only reaching the ceiling? Has it been days, weeks, or months, and you still haven’t gotten an answer? You begin to say to yourself, ‘did God even hear me?’ You can rest assured He has, and we have a story in the Old Testament book of Daniel that proves it.

The prophet Daniel was desperately waiting for an answer to his prayer concerning the vision he had just witnessed. He was in mourning and confused by what he saw and was seeking an answer. Daniel knew that it involved his people, the children of Israel, and it was a future event. He sought an answer, but it did not come. Daniel did not eat or drink for three weeks. Then one day as he was standing on the bank of the Tigris River, Daniel got his answer and was told why it was delayed.

The Lord sent his messenger to Daniel with the first words being, “Daniel, you are very precious to God.” (Dan.10:11 nlt) The Lord God did not forget Daniel but assured him how much he was loved by God. Sometimes we all need to be reminded that God loves us and hasn’t forgotten us. He does care for us and desires that close relationship with us. It is God’s desire to answer our prayers in what He knows is best for us.

The messenger then told Daniel his prayer was heard on the first day he petitioned God in prayer. What an encouragement for us who doubt at times if God has ever heard us. He has. Not only did the messenger assure Daniel that his prayer was heard, but that it was answered the same day. As we seek God, know for sure He hears our prayers and will answer us according to His will as we seek Him.

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Devotionals

This Wild Storm of Hatred       

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 55 NLT – Psalm 55 – For the choir director: A – Bible Gateway

“Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!  I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. How quickly I would escape—far from this wild storm of hatred.” Psalm 55:6-8 NLT

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In Psalm 55, David expresses his anguish of hatred being directed towards him to the point where his life was in danger. What made it worse was this hatred came from a close companion, or should we say former close companion. There are falling outs today in our lives as well, perhaps not as extreme as David’s, or maybe you have experienced such trauma. The world today is full of hatred. David called his experience ‘this wild storm of hatred.’ As distressed as David was, he found a solution to his problem; he would call upon the Lord.

David speaks of his heart pounding in his chest. He is overwhelmed with fear and trembling and cannot stop shaking with the thought of being killed by his close friend. But David had a closer friend on his side, the Lord God. David laments how good it would be if he had wings like a dove. He would then fly away to the quietness of the wilderness. Perhaps as David dwelt on that thought is when he called on the Lord to help him, “But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me.  Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice.” (Ps.55:16 nlt)

We too can paint a picture of flying away from our problems, but wouldn’t it be better to call on God and pray. David called on God in his distress, morning, noon, and night. Sure, he had someone trying to kill him, but passionate, repetitive prayer is most effective whatever our circumstances. This wild storm of hatred is all around us in 2025, its time to have passionate, continual prayer to the Lord God.

“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” (Ps.55:22 nlt)  

Devotionals

The Source of All Comfort       

Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT – God Offers Comfort to All – All praise – Bible Gateway

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

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The apostle Paul began his second letter to the church in Corinth by declaring God is merciful and the source of all comfort. As much as we try to comfort others, we will never succeed as God does. God is the source of all comfort, meaning comfort (to soothe in distress or sorrow) is given best by comforter Himself, God. Sometimes God will use an agent like us to comfort others. Discernment is key in knowing when and how to approach one in need of comfort. For that, it is essential we are walking in step with God and in prayer for His guidance.

One of the essential tools the Lord will have us use is our own experience in being comforted by God when we were in distress. It wasn’t pleasant at the time, and not pleasant now as we think back on it, but it can be used to bring comfort to one suffering at the moment. God has comforted us so we can in turn comfort others. When God shows His mercy and grace upon us through our bad times it’s hard for others not to notice. But there will always be some who do not notice or may have no knowledge of your past troubles, as they deal with their own anguish. That is why you need to share with the one who is suffering just as you were. They need the comfort you received as you tell your story and point them to the source of all comfort, the Lord God.

Understandably, there are things you would rather not share. I get it. That is why a close relationship with the God of all comfort is vital to know what to share, how to share, and when to share how God comforted you during those days. He is the source of all comfort, and you already experienced that. Trust Him to guide you in providing comfort to others.

Devotionals

Daniel Prays for His People

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 9:1-19 ESV – Daniel’s Prayer for His People – Bible Gateway

“Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel 9:3 ESV

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Believe it or not, one of the hardest things for Christians to do is to pray. You may be one who believes it from your own experience. Finding the right words to say either in a group or in private holds some people back. Others fear they’re not worthy enough to address God, or He wouldn’t hear anyway. Still others haven’t built that relationship with Him as His children where He welcomes us to simply talk with Him. Scripture has given us several models of prayer to follow for our help, the most notable is Jesus’ example in the Lord’s prayer. The prophet Daniel gives us his exemplary prayer in Daniel chapter 9 to follow.

Daniel’s prayer consists of six elements all to be considered when giving serious thought in wanting to improve our prayer life. He realized Judah’s seventy years of captivity was about to end and petitioned the Lord on behalf of his people. Daniel’s preparation and his prayer shows his reverence for the Lord God. May we take advantage of this prayer to enrich our own prayer life. That’s why it’s there!

  1. Humility – v.3, Daniel fasted and covered himself with sackcloth and ashes. (we can skip the sackcloth and ashes)
  2. Worship – v.4, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God’
  3. Identified with the people – v.5, ‘we have sinned and done wrong’ 
  4. Confession – v.5-15, ‘To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.’
  5. Petition – v.16-18, ‘O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake’
  6. God’s Glory – v.19, ‘O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.’
Devotionals

Do you have a story to tell?      

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 66 NLT – Psalm 66 – For the choir director: A – Bible Gateway

“Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.” Psalm 66:16 NLT

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Psalm 66 is a psalm of praise for God’s answer to prayer. It is a psalm of both national deliverance and individual deliverance. The psalmist and the nation have been saved from their enemies. The whole earth is encouraged to shout joyful praises to God for His awesome deeds. (Ps.66:1-4) All of us are invited to “Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!” (Ps.66:5 nlt) The psalmist has a story to tell.

The story is told of God dividing the Red Sea making a pathway for His children to escape from their enemies on dry ground. This same God continues to rule the nations today and they are advised not to rebel against Him. Again, the psalmist encourages praise, “Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises. Our lives are in his hands.” (Ps.66:8-9 nlt)

The psalmist testifies of the trouble both he and the nation have gone through. Not unlike our troubles today. It is described as going through flood and fire, but not without God’s knowledge and His purposes. In the end the Lord brings us out to a place of great abundance. This causes the psalmist to say, “Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.” (Ps.66:16 nlt) He has a story to tell.

How about you? Do you have a story to encourage someone today? What has God delivered you from that can help one who is struggling with the same thing? It could be something big or something small, it doesn’t matter. Sometimes small things cause us the most heartache. Share how the Lord delivered you from them, and how He answers prayer. We all have a story to tell. It’s time to be a storyteller.  

Devotionals

Are You Looking for a Relationship or an Experience?    

Loring Schultz

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:14 NLT

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One of my personal devotionals I read had an interesting comment last week. The writer stated there is a big difference between an experience with Jesus and a relationship with Him. That got me to thinking. Some Christians have the idea that Christianity is about feelings and experiences. They need to feel God’s power through the Holy Spirit doing great miracles in their lives to feel His present. In between there is an emptiness they try to fill looking for that next big spiritual moment, when that moment is right around the corner and is always there.

Granted there are extra special moments the Lord bestows upon us, and we should be grateful and praising Him for each one. The Lord God loves to enrich us with answered prayer, healing, and bringing miracles into our lives. But nothing pleases Him more that when we sit quietly at His feet as Mary did in the gospel of Luke. “Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.” (Lk.10:39 nlt) The Lord wants us to spend with Him through prayer, reading His Word, meditating on what His Word says, and taking time to listen to Him. That’s a relationship.

The quietest moments spent with Jesus daily will lead to a relationship that will outlast any previous experience you may have had. Because every day you go back for more time not looking or waiting for something great to happen because it is already happening. So, what are you looking for? You may have both.  

Devotionals

National Day of Prayer            

Loring Schultz

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3 NLT

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Today is the 74th annual National Day of Prayer observed in the United States. The first Thursday each May is designated by the U.S. Congress as a day of prayer for the nation. The President is required by law to sign a proclamation encouraging every citizen “to turn to God in prayer and meditation” for the people, the leaders, and the needs of the country.

As Christians we shouldn’t need a special day to remind us to pray for the country and those who lead us. The apostle Paul gives us instructions to do so in the book of 1 Timothy. ‘Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority.’ This should be part of our daily prayers so as Paul says that we live in peaceful times marked by godliness and dignity. Most of us would agree, I’m sure, that America and most of the world need godliness and dignity. This then should be our prayer.

We are to pray for our fellow citizens and all those who reside in our country asking God to intercede for them and giving thanks for them. When God’s people set the example of praying daily for our leaders, for those they lead, and for the needs of America it will bring a greater significance to the National Day of Prayer. Others may not be so reluctant to participate but will join us in prayer.

For those of you who reside outside the United States, Paul’s words apply to you as well. Whether your country has a National Day of Prayer or not, we should be in prayer for those who lead us, the needs of the country, and especially the people. Perhaps you can be catalyst in the establishment of a National Day of Prayer in your country. I understand it is easier said than done. But we serve a great God, and it is His desire that we pray for our leaders to change their hearts and minds “that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”

Devotionals

That Very Hour

Loring Schultz

Read: John 4:43-54 NLT – Jesus Heals an Official’s Son – At – Bible Gateway

“Go back home. Your son will live!” ……. “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” John 4:50, 52 NLT

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God reveals the answers to our prayers in His timing. We need not worry if He hears us, He does. “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.” (1Pt.3:12 nlt) Knowing that God hears our prayers gives us assurance that He will answer them. When we get the answer is up to God. He will answer when the time is right and is in line with His purposes. When God hears our prayers, He doesn’t need to think how He will answer. He has already determined it. God doesn’t change His mind or have a change of heart in our waiting process. His answer will come as decided.

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between an answer of ‘no’ or ‘wait.’ The answer ‘no’ may be realized rather quickly, but then again perhaps the Lord has a lesson for us in the waiting period. Rest assured, either way you’ll have the answer. The same is true for a ‘yes’ answer to prayer. We may receive it quickly or need to wait accordingly for God’s will. But He has already answered and will reveal it to us.

One of the greatest joys is to have an answer to prayer immediately. I’ve had several in my life, and I trust you have too. Looking back, we rejoice in God’s immediate response to our immediate need. In the gospel of John there is story of a government official who had such an immediate answer to prayer, but didn’t realize it until the next day.

John writes, “There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.” (Jn.4:46-47 nlt) At 1 o’clock in the afternoon, Jesus told the man to go home that his son will live. He believed Jesus and started home. On his way home the next day he met some of his servants who told him his son was alive and well. The fever suddenly left him at that very hour at 1 o’clock in the afternoon the day before. Whether we receive an instant answer to our prayers or need to wait, we know God hears us and determines His answer that very hour always revealing it to us in His timing.

Devotionals

Come Talk with God      

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 27 NLT – Psalm 27 – A psalm of David. The LORD – Bible Gateway

“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming.’” Psalm 27:8 NLT

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

David’s prayers in the Psalms are simple and direct. He prays exactly how he feels, whether it’s through joy, comfort, praise, sorrow, anger, confession, abandonment, fear, or whatever else was on his heart, he prayed to the Lord simply and direct. David had an intimate relationship with the God of heaven so much so, that his heart heard Him say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ Several other translations say, ‘Seek My face.’ David was constantly seeking to be with his God in prayer that when he heard ‘Come and talk with me’, he was always ready to say, ‘LORD, I am coming.’

We may all not sense God speaking in our hearts as David but all of us can develop the characteristic of seeking God’s face. Seeking His face is nothing more than having a deeper desire for intimate fellowship with your creator. The more we desire Him, the more we will be aware of His desire for us. God also desires to be with us intimately. This is often missed by our routine repetitive early morning prayers and out the door we go. God is inviting us to seek His face to come and talk with Him. Talking with someone is to have a conversation. Speaking and listening. Taking time to listen to God is just as important as telling Him all your problems.

Listen closely to what God is saying to you through the Holy Spirit in prayer. You may never hear God speak audibly to you in prayer, I never have, but I’ve felt His presence and direction many times through prayer as I seek His face. God desires to have that intimate fellowship with us through prayer. He is saying, ‘Come and talk with me.’ May we have the same desire by seeking His face and be ready to say, ‘LORD, I am coming.’

Devotionals

Water to Quench Your Soul     

Loring Schultz

“Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, ‘Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!’ For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” John 4:37-38 NLT

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It is springtime in Pennsylvania, and I once again started my weekly chore of mowing our lawn. I couldn’t help but notice the brown patches still part of our lawn from last year’s drought. In fact, we are not totally out of the woods yet, needing a few more healthy rain events. Water is essential for growth and life itself. The rain we had caused the grass to grow in areas not severely affected by lack of rain last summer. But much more water and sun are needed to bring the entire lawn back to complete health.

Our spiritual lives can become dry as a drought driven patch of grass. Just as water is essential for our very lives, so is the spiritual water Jesus offers us essential for our spiritual lives. We first need it to save our souls from spiritual death to eternal life. As Jesus told the woman at the well, “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (Jn.4:14 nlt) Jesus is the spiritual water we need for salvation and eternal life. He offers it to us freely. Jesus is authorized to do so for He paved the way by dying on the cross for our sins recognized this Good Friday and rising from the dead on Easter morning to secure our eternal life.

Spiritual water is also needed for our souls to be refreshed daily by Jesus through prayer and reading His Word. As Christians our eternal home may be secured, but we still need daily spiritual water to help us grow, be fruitful, and not become a dried-up patch of grass. It is easy to develop a thirst for the things of the world, but soon we find out it never satisfies, yet we keep drinking from the fountain without quenching our souls. The Lord Jesus has the water to guarantee our salvation and to quench our thirsty souls. Why not take a drink from Jesus’ fountain today.