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Listen while you read: "Stand Up And Bless The Lord"1 (Lyrics) |
Daniel 7:10 – A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgement, and the books were opened. (ESV)
I belong to a group of intercessors in our church. During term-time, we meet upstairs in a room overlooking the balcony. As I came out of the group on a day in February, I looked down on the main body of the church. Above the home-schooled children playing an activity on the cleared floor below were lit more than a thousand fairy-lights strung on wire cables from one side of the U-shaped balcony to the other. It provides a soft, gentle ambiance when the room is dimmed by cloud or night.
As I looked down on these lights, it came to mind that God looks down on all the intercessors across the world, figuratively ten thousand times ten thousand, all offering up prayers before the throne. I believe that He is pleased with this myriad of Holy Spirit-inspired souls emanating prayers before the throne, interceding along with the angels battling for our world.
In that moment, I had the awareness of how God watches on and treasures the beauty of all the prayers offered up in different places, even as I took pleasure in the sight of these strings of tiny lights connected in rows bringing light for the children to play in.
Apart from God, who knows what disastrous events have not happened through the intercessory prayers of the church community? Who knows, apart from God, what blessings have befallen the church and the world because of the prayers of the saints?
So today, try to linger a little longer before rushing off away from God into the day again, and share with Him what comes to mind in this time. Pray for the governments, situations in our world, and the people He lays upon our hearts; even pray for yourself. Who knows, maybe you will find out something new about His patient love for you. Maybe it will change your life!
Prayer: Lord, thank You so much for Your dialogue with us through the Bible, prayer, and action. Encourage us to get to know You better and to grow in trusting You. As Your vessels, enable us to light the way for others to follow along the pathway to Your kingdom. Show us the way that we should go today, all because of Your great love for us in Jesus. Amen.
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May it be so, Rod.
Thank you for sharing this.
What a lovely vision! Thank you and bless you.
Amen Rod, great analogy.
Blessings.
What a wonderful word picture.
Thank you.
Thank you, Rod. This is badly needed right now. Our world is a mess!
Thank you Rod for today’s devotion.
I enjoyed it very much.
(Quebec)
Dear Rod,
Thank you for your reminder of the importance of prayer and our relationship with God. It is so true, we usually do not know what blessings have happened as the result of prayer. May many blessings fill our world as we continue to pray to the ever-present God in our lives.
Greetings Rod,
Thank you for another special devotional. Yes, we need be ever thankful that our loving Lord is ever watching over us and listening to our prayers. We have opportunity to share this “good news” with others and brighten the “light” in our world.
Blessings.
(B.C.)
Dear Rod Marshall,
Thank you for the devotional.
I appreciate your words.
I especially pray for the planners and teachers of our Children’s Vacation Bible School coming up this summer.
May the attendees be many and may they be kept safe and healthy by the Lord of life.
Your prayer is perfect for these days.
So many people are not aware of God’s daily presence in their lives.
I have a list of 67 close family members that I have been praying for since I became a Christian many years ago; as far as I know, they are still without the “Light of the World” to be with them and guide them along the path of life. I’ll keep on interceding, don’t know when they’ll see the Light, but I can trust God that He’s on the path already with them!
Thanks for your encouragement,
(BC Canada)
Morning, Rod…at least morning here,
We call our intercessor group a “prayer” group. If we ever get past the Pandemic, we will reconvene. I have really not been a part of this group previously but have determined to do so when the group meets again.
Your comment about home schoolers interested me. In our rural county (18,000 plus people), there is a large home-school group. In some areas the schools are so small, that I wonder why they even exist except the people in those towns want them. I wish that these small schools would allow consolidation of the 9-12th grades which is high school here. I, however, am not in charge of that issue.
I want to say thank you for this devotional. You always hit the mark.
Rod,
Wonderful imagery.
Thank you.
When I hear of events on TV, I often pray for those involved
Thank you for today’s contribution. I always feel a lift upon reading them.
I will be 97 soon, in reasonably good shape, and thank God for my many blessings, children, two grandchildren and lovely great-granddaughters. My family came over today for a visit. After they leave, I find notes tucked away. “I love you papa, you are so good to me”, they are 10 and 7. I hope you have grandchildren to bring you joy and that you reciprocate.
The virus pandemic is a problem, churches and schools are closed but here on Vancouver Island we are largely spared, no new cases for several weeks and no deaths. Thank you God.
Cheers and Blessings.