THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 17TH JULY 2025, THURSDAY MESSAGE
Read The Upper Room Devotional 17th July 2025 written by Joni Topper (Texas, USA)
TOPIC: Walking Prayers
Today’s Reading
Galatians 6:7-10
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Our church has organized a walking prayer ministry. We use a little treasure chest for our prayer requests. Gathering at the local high school track, people write their requests on a card and then place it in the chest. As prayer walkers arrive, they pick out a card and take off walking, praying for the request on the card. Sometimes they keep the same card the entire time they walk, and sometimes they change cards with each lap around the track.
When we began this practice, I was inspired by one elderly woman who walked each week. I hoped that when I reached her age, I would still be setting a faithful example of prayer for others.
While I walk and pray, my young grandchildren play on the field inside the track. One day my grandson picked up a pen and a card. His sister scolded him, “You can only write notes to God on those cards.” I later found notes in the treasure chest written in her childish scribble: “I love God.” “God is nice.” Then I realized that my grandchildren were learning some important lessons too — that prayer is one way we exercise our faith just as we exercise our body.
Today’s Prayer
Father God, help us to know that our actions can lead someone to you. Amen.
Thought for the Day
My faithful actions can encourage others.
Prayer Focus
Prayer ministries
The Upper Room Devotional 17th July 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