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2 Corinthians 4:1 – Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 2:12 – We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. (NLT)
In advance of the 20th anniversary of the PresbyCan Daily Devotional on May 25th, I designed an appropriate poster and submitted it to Facebook. It was there that I heard from some of the people whom I had known, and still know, as writers for the Daily and others who sent the feedback that I used to receive. This goes as far back as 1999, the first year that I began to write devotionals for the Daily. In those days, I felt like I almost knew these people personally.
With this in mind, I revived my habit of writing some words of encouragement to our writers (especially our newer ones) to keep on writing — something that I have not done for well over a year.
As a devotional writer, I always looked forward anxiously to the feedback with a certain amount of anticipation, wondering just how the readers would react to my messages. Often, it was just a "thank you" for a message that they were waiting to hear. Then there were others who went on at length to tell of an experience that they were going through right then. Many times, I would hear that they had found some help in the devotional that eased their problem. It was always encouraging. In many cases, by way of follow-up, I was able to share my faith, as we encouraged one another.
Romans 1:11-12 – For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you — that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. (ESV)
What a privilege it has been to be involved in this ministry! I want to give you confidence that you, also, can engage yourself in Christ's service as an encourager of other people's faith!
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, look upon us with favour and encouragement to search Your Word and put it to work in our lives. Thank You for the thoughts that You place upon our hearts to write. May we rejoice in the Daily, and may the readers and writers be blessed by the messages given to them in Jesus' name. In His name, we pray. Amen.
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Saturday, May 18, 2024 – In North Africa — Living in North Africa we get so used to hearing the call to prayer it becomes like background noise and sometimes I don't hear it anymore. I am challenged by the fact that some Muslims are so committed to pray that they go to the mosque 5 times a day. Would you consider, with me, setting your alarm to go off at 3:00 every day and pray for these three things: 5 families to come to know Christ, 3 people for us to read scripture with,1 new church plant.
Housing: "Update May 16, 2024: Please continue to pray for T and her son A to find a different apartment...." 
Blessings, Anne.
Thanks Anne for your faithfulness.
How good it is to hear such a good message from you! Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Thanks Anne, always good to see your name at the bottom!
Blessings.
Thanks, Anne, I appreciated you devotional today and your encouraging words yesterday.
Blessings.
Dear Anne,
I especially appreciate your choices of helpful Bible verses, and your prayer.
Keep writing.
Thank you, Anne – I have been reading the Daily for many years now, but have not taken the time to regularly respond until recently. Your work, and the work of others, is greatly appreciated. I often find more than one Daily in my mailbox, as parishioners forward to me the ones they find most helpful!
Do continue your encouraging devotions. I for one, do not write very often to say Thank you…but It’s in my heart and sincerely appreciate all your efforts. You are such a strength.
Blessings to you.
Anne, your Devotionals and your books have always been an inspiration to me in my faith journey, and it’s good to learn how much you have also inspired others. God bless you and Bill as we continue this journey together.
(Ontario)
Dear Anne,
Thank you for your faithfulness over these many years.
I have been one writer who has been blessed these many years with your writings. May God continue to bless you.
Dear Anne,
Always appreciated the devotionals that you wrote. Your words have always been encouraging.
May God bless you.
(Ontario)
You were an encouragement to me some years ago, when I met you at GA. I still have a bookmark with one of your inspirational meditations.
I am part of a congregation that values the Bible and biblical teaching – never out of style!
Blessings on your continued ministry through words.
(BC)
Good Morning Anne, thank you for your devotional about how important the Daily is to so many in touching their life at just the right moment. I too look forward to receiving feedback, at the same time reminding myself that all glory belongs to God, just so I don’t get swell headed about it. It is great to hope that this anniversary will bring back many writers (me for one) that have not been writing as much as in the past. I always appreciate your words of wisdom.
Hello Anne, thanks for all of your efforts through the years in writing devotionals for PresbyCan Daily.
Wow what a wonderful blessing you and all of your writers have been and are to each one of us who each day look for some scriptural/personal touch.
May God bless you and this ministry in new and amazing ways today and until He returns.
I will continue to pray for you and this ministry.
(Ont.)
Dear Anne,
From the opening Bible passage you caught my attention.
I retired from ministry recently. After my move I knew I wanted to serve the Presbyterian Church in a new way even though my health has changed greatly.
After a time of waiting and discernment an opportunity to serve Presbytery has presented itself. I am certain of the Spirit leading me in that direction. I know God will provide the help and encouragement for me to use my gifts to serve Him here.
Thank you for your encouragement.
Dear Anne:
Thank you for your devotional this morning.
It indeed is very rewarding to receive feedback.
I would feel a tremendous loss without my daily devotional. It is God’s “good morning” to me, and has been since it began.
With me, a funny thing happened on the way to publication… I never did get my own devotional! The Lord has mysterious ways to keep one humble! Anyway, I do believe the people that He knew it would help, got it, and it appeared on FaceBook, and His will is all that matters.
Keep writing for all us readers who look forward to the Daily, and for our wonderful Lord Jesus.
Thanks Anne … and keep writing!
Well said and good to ‘hear’ your voice on the Daily again.
Yes Lord pour Your Favour on this ministry. It has been so enriching to our faith walk.
Thanks, Anne, for your writings over the years and particularly for today’s devotional.
I’m glad that you are encouraging the new writers since encouragement is very important.
Really enjoyed your piece, absolutely true, and thank you for your prayer.
Dear Anne,
That’s a long time to have been writing devotionals, and to still be doing it! I pray that God will keep giving you the ability, the will, and the gifts of ideas.
You can pray for the same for me.