The Upper Room 5th January 2022 Daily Devotional | Wednesday Message
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Praise Prayers
Valerie Bryant Bennett (Tennessee, USA)
TODAY’S READING
Psalm 33:1-9
KEY VERSE: Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing his praise from the ends of the earth! – Isaiah 42:10 (CEB)
The Upper Room 5th January 2022 Daily Devotional Message
One day I began my usual morning prayers. I prayed for my children’s needs, my needs, and the needs of friends and family. Suddenly, a vivid image of a gumball machine popped into my head. As a child, I enjoyed putting a coin in the slot, turning the handle, and having a colorful gumball fall into my hand. I realized I had been praying as if I were inserting coins into a gumball machine. Almost all of my prayers were petitions, and I was acting as though I expected God’s answers to drop into my life like gumballs into my hand. While God is compassionate and willing to help us when we ask, I realized I was taking for granted the wonders of creation, God’s generous gifts, and the sacrifice Christ made for us.
Now when I pray, I begin with praise. Instead of immediately thinking of what may be lacking in my life and the lives of my loved ones, I find joy in first recognizing the amazing love and generosity of God. And I find that when my “praise prayers” remind me of all that God has done, my “please prayers” come from a trusting, thankful heart.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord God, help us not to wait until we need something but to stay close to you at all times, expressing praise and trust. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I will balance my prayerful petitions with praise for what God has done.
PRAYER FOCUS
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