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Matthew 26:22 – And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" (ESV)
Years ago, I used to be a Vision and Values governor for a school where I did my best to uphold Christian values in a state-financed, nominally Christian school. My work as a governor made me realize that what I said and did, or assented to, mattered.
Today, we take for granted what our ancestors fought for years ago. Time has distanced us from the enormity of the price that they paid and the importance of their achievements that keep us within a world of relative freedom. So often, we allow the few to govern over us without much thought as to the significance of their influence and the choices that they make for us.
I sense that we have let time erode the efficacy of the Christian faith — initially in us and subsequently, by our absence, within the world of influence. Consumed with consumption, a quiet life, and our self-gratification, have we become shadows of those early Christian soldiers who dared to speak out and stand up? Have we allowed the watering down of the influence of our faith that once was life-saving?
I hope that by now, you are saying, like me, "Is it I, Lord?" It is a good question.
It is important for all of us, no matter where we are in our lives, through prayer and confession, to give everything into our Lord's hands: thought, word, and deed, our lives, and the world that we live in.
As we do our part in praying today, maybe we can ask what is on God's heart for us and our world.
War, earthquake, climate, leadership, and famine persist as we take for granted that tomorrow will be the same as yesterday. Have we turned a blind eye to the need for prayer today? May we humble ourselves and take time before God, as we are able, to lift up our local and national leaders, our local area, and the world globally with its needs. May we pray for God's rule and wisdom to prevail over the demise of the good once more.
Prayer: Lord, what are You saying to us today? May Your wisdom come to our hearts and ears. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who have sinned against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
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Tuesday, February 4, 2025 – In Japan — Pray for the gospel to take root in Japanese culture and that it would no longer be perceived as a western religion. Pray for the Lord to work among the people of Japan. Pray for the Holy Spirit to open cold hearts.
oad: "February 4, 2025: Please pray for K who has stage 4 metastasized breast cancer. Please surround..." 
A good reminder, Rod.
Thank you, Rod. So well put. Thank you.
Thanks, Rod. A good message for believers in your country and mine.
Thank you for sharing this devotional reminder with us today. Blessings.
Such an important message in these times, Rod. Thank you and may God bless you!
HI Rod,
Once more I am thanking you for your devotional today.
Your writing this day is a wonderful reminder to help us remember how to carry ourselves for Christ. Thank you so much.
Thank you for this very insightful reminder. I will try much more to lift up this dark world and the leaders in it to see and be guided by God’s wisdom! May God Bless you!
Thanks God. Indeed it is true our world needs much prayer and the raising up of great and godly leadership if we are to see change in the downhill spiral.
Be blessed.
Unfortunately, Satan’s attacks are often incremental and little things don’t seem all that bad at first. We constantly need God’s help in discernment.
Peace be with you!
(Canada)
Good day. Thank you for this prompting and reminder. We are ‘lukewarm’ as a society mostly.
I trust that your efforts to awaken the readers will serve the Lord’s purposes. It did for me.
Blessings.
Good morning, Rod,
So many people have turned a blind eye to prayer for sure. But a sign at one of our local churches said, “Seven days without prayer makes one weak”
Thank you for your thought provoking words,
Blessings on you and yours.
Thank you, Rod, for another of your very special and most meaningful writings. The Lord’s prayer is so specific and loaded with the right words we need each and every day especially the way the world is these days. I truly believe if that prayer was kept daily in the schools the way it used to be, the world would be much better today as the Lord’s guidance would have been instilled in children from an early age and would have resonated with them through their years. Blessings for your very skillful writings.
Hello Rod,
As you point out, we do need to reflect and pray for God’s wisdom for what is on his heart for us and the world. We see daily how we worship and live our Christian faith changing all around us – is this part of God’s plan or people’s ideas?
We need God’s help in understanding and in doing our part. I know the church has changed from the original disciple’s way of worshiping and it has changed many times over all these years. May God clarify his plan in our hearts and minds so we can move forward confidently knowing we are doing what God wants for His world.
Thank you for your thoughts on what is happening in the world today and encouraging us to pray for God’s will to be done. Blessings.
I totally agree with you.