Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Family”
Our Bible verse for today: “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.” 2 Timothy 1:3 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Give the gift of prayer”
So, how would you like to have the Apostle Paul praying for you night and day? Would the knowledge of his prayers for you be a source of encouragement? It sure would be for me! That’s the assurance that young Timothy had. In the opening passage of his second letter to Timothy, his son in the faith, Paul assured him that “I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.”
As I write this we’re just a few days away from Christmas. I suspect some of you are still struggling for ideas about gifts to give family, friends, and loved ones. Well, how about the gift of prayer? You could give that person a card with a note inside that says, “My gift to you this year is that I will pray for you every day in 2017. I want you to know that everyday, before you even get out of bed in the morning, you will already have been prayed for.”
What a unique and special gift! It will probably be the most meaningful and useful gift that person will receive from anyone. In James 5:16, James the brother of Jesus reminds us that, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Throughout his letters to the New Testament Church we find the Apostle Paul repeatedly assuring friends that of his prayers for them, and asking them to pray for him. The reason prayer is emphasized so much in the Bible, and the reason it is such a beautiful gift to give someone, is because God hears our prayers and moves in response to them. We all know, from the Bible and from personal experience, that when God’s people pray – things happen.
So I encourage you to give the gift of prayer this year. You can’t pray for everyone everyday, but you can choose one or two special people who you will pray for everyday. Give the gift of prayer to someone special on your list.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 