The Upper Room Daily Devotional 7 September 2022 for Wednesday Message || Spiritual Friendship
Read The Upper Room Daily Devotional 7 September 2022 Message by Yvette War Bonnet (Washington, USA)
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TOPIC: Spiritual Friendship
TODAY’S READING
Ephesians 5:19-21
KEY VERSE: Jesus said, “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 7 September 2022 MESSAGE
In 2009, my friend Michelle and I had the opportunity to attend a Walk to Emmaus spiritual retreat. The experience was filled with community-building, worship, and Bible study. We did not want to lose our excitement about our faith when we returned home, so Michelle and I started to meet once a week. We studied different materials and books over a cup of coffee and breakfast.
Eight years after we began our weekly ritual, Michelle moved across the country. I worried that this would make it difficult to continue our special friendship. I had always interpreted Matthew 18:20 as Jesus asking us to meet in person when we study and worship. But meeting virtually with Michelle has taught me that you do not have to be in the same room for the Lord to be with you. All you have to do is join your hearts and minds together.
While we can no longer share a meal at the same table, we continue to share details of our lives and encourage each other in our faith journeys by discussing The Upper Room, hymns, and books. Our relationship is one that I cherish.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of spiritual friendships. For those of us with this type of friendship, bless these relationships. For those of us longing for a friend, please put the right people in our life. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
My faith is strengthened by the faith of others.
PRAYER FOCUS
People attending spiritual retreats
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 7 September 2022 Message. 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. Read More