THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 21ST SEPTEMBER 2025, SUNDAY MESSAGE
The Words of a Child
Ángel Mattos de Jesús (Puerto Rico)
Today’s Reading
Mark 10:13-16
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” – Mark 10:14 (NIV)
It was Saturday, and I still had not selected a sermon topic. I prayed for help or some sign, but I was nervous and preoccupied. I was still trying to organize my thoughts when my eight-year-old son, Manuel, approached me. The night before, I had been a bit harsh with him because of some mischief he had gotten into, so I stopped working on my sermon topic briefly to ask him for forgiveness. I continued talking to him for a few minutes about the forgiveness God offers us.
While talking to Manuel I mentioned that I was trying to write my sermon but was not having much success, as he could see from my blank computer screen. Then I asked that he run along so I could get back to work. Manuel fixed his eyes on me and asked, “Why don’t you write about what you just told me?” He then took off.
God had answered my prayer! I had my sermon material and the title: God Forgives. This experience with my young son helped me become even more aware of the importance of children within the kingdom of God and the ways God can speak to us through children.
Today’s Prayer
Gracious Lord, help us be a guiding light for others — especially children. Help us to listen attentively to them and to you. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God speaks to me through all God’s children, so I will listen.
Prayer Focus
Parents and their children
The Upper Room Devotional 21st September 2025 is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More