THE UPPER ROOM 19 MARCH 2024 DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE
Read The Upper Room 19 March 2024 Devotional Message for Tuesday wriiten by Betsy Mitchell (New York, USA)
TOPIC: Precious Opportunity
TODAY’S READING
John 15:5-8
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. – Mark 1:35 (NIV)
The Upper Room 19 March 2024 Devotional MESSAGE
Recently my husband and I took a trip by train through Montana and Idaho, then rented a car and drove down to northern California to visit my sister at her new home. I had never seen any of these places before, and the journey was a thrill to me. However, the change of routine completely disrupted my habit of starting each day with prayer and quiet meditation.
Back home in my comfy chair with the cat curled up by my side, I took up my daily practice again. I reflected that I had seen so many amazing sights yet had not taken time to marvel at the Creator. I had enjoyed the hospitality of my sister and brother-in-law but had not expressed gratitude to God for the good health and the means that allowed me to travel.
The Bible records that Jesus often went off to a solitary place to pray. Our Lord and Savior took time alone to speak with God. That loving relationship is open to me as well. I realized that my devotional time is not a routine that I must leave behind when I go on vacation. It’s a precious opportunity to thank God for all my blessings, speak whatever burden is on my heart, and ask for guidance every day.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Ever-present God, thank you for the opportunity to be in your presence day by day. May we never forget to thank you. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
No matter where I am, I can spend time with God each day.
PRAYER FOCUS
Railroad workers
The Upper Room 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. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together.