Our Daily Bread Devotional For February 19, 2024 ODB Message
Read Our Daily Bread Devotional for February 19, 2024 Monday ODB Message written by Katara Patton and Today’s Insight By Arthur Jackson
TOPIC: Prompted to Pray
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BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 25; Mark 1:23–45
KEY VERSE: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
1 Thessalonians 5:12–18
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
OUR DAILY BREAD 19TH FEBRUARY 2024, MONDAY INSIGHT:
Believers in Jesus can learn from Paul’s exhortations, example, and experiences in what could be called the “Pauline School of Prayer.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the exhortation is to “pray continually.” Paul, however, didn’t simply encourage prayer; he himself prayed for his fellow believers in Christ: “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers” (1:2). We see a similar pattern in Colossians, where in the context of his prayers for them, Paul spoke of giving thanks for believers in Jesus (1:3). Then, as if to encourage them to follow his pattern, he exhorted them to “continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (4:2 esv). In the book of Acts, Paul and Silas prayed in the prison at Philippi (16:25-34), and Paul’s experience on the storm-tossed sea likely prompted prayer (27:13-38).
Our Daily Bread Devotional For February 19, 2024 MESSAGE
A coworker once told me that her prayer life had improved because of our manager. I was impressed, thinking that our difficult leader had shared some spiritual nuggets with her and influenced how she prays. I was wrong—sort of. My coworker and friend went on to explain: “Every time I see him coming, I start praying.” Her time of prayer had improved because she prayed more before each conversation with him. She knew she needed God’s help in her challenging work relationship with her manager, and she called out to Him more because of it.
My coworker’s practice of praying during tough times and interactions is something I’ve adopted. It’s also a biblical practice found in 1 Thessalonians when Paul reminds the believers in Jesus to “pray continually . . . give thanks in all circumstances” (5:17–18). No matter what we face, prayer is always the best practice. It keeps us connected with God and invites His Spirit to direct us (Galatians 5:16) rather than having us rely on our human inclinations. This helps us “live in peace with each other” (1 Thessalonians 5:13) even when we face conflicts.
As God helps us, we can rejoice in Him, pray about everything, and give thanks often. And those things will help us live in even greater harmony with our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
REFLECT: What relationships do you need to pray about more frequently? How can prayer help you follow God’s leading versus your human tendencies?
PRAY: Heavenly Father, please help me remember to pray continually as I seek to live in harmony with others.
Our Daily Bread 19th February 2024 Devotional, Monday ODB Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.
