THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 23RD NOVEMBER 2024, THURSDAY MESSAGE
Read The Upper Room Devotional 23rd November 2024 written by Peter Caligiuri (Florida, USA)
TOPIC: Never a Bother
Today’s Reading
Matthew 6:5-15
Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. – Matthew 6:6 (NRSVUE)
Today’s Message
We get calls from both our sons, but the younger one calls more frequently. He calls not only on birthdays and holidays, but every day. When I was still on staff at the church, he would call so often that when my phone rang during a meeting, our lead pastor would quip, “Tell Ben I said hello!”
Though Ben’s timing was sometimes inconvenient, I never tired of answering. It didn’t matter to me that those calls were usually about insignificant things because I just enjoyed talking with him.
Sometimes when I read today’s quoted verse, I have wondered why God would be interested in my prayers. After all, God already knows what I need. Then I remember Ben’s phone calls.
We need not worry whether or not our prayers seem important. We are not bothering God when we talk about our concerns. Sure, God knows what we need before we ask, but Jesus teaches us about “whenever we pray,” not “if we pray.” Why not reach out to God right now? God loves to hear from us!
Today’s Prayer
Loving God, forgive us for doubting your care for us. Remind us that we can always connect with you through prayer. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God never tires of hearing from me.
Prayer Focus
Someone concerned about bothering God
The Upper Room Devotional 23rd November 2024, 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