THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 24TH MAY 2025, SATURDAY MESSAGE
Read The Upper Room Devotional 24th May 2025 written by John Adjah (Greater Accra Region, Ghana)
TOPIC: Spiritual Treasures
Today’s Reading
Luke 11:1-13
11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father,[a]
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.[b]
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.[c]
And lead us not into temptation.[d]’”
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[e] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
KEY VERSE: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSVUE)
It’s easy to pray and give thanks when things are going well — when we have a happy family, a good job, or good health. But I’ve realized how tough it can be to keep praying and stay positive when I’m feeling down. At one time, I was experiencing financial hardship and had almost run out of money. I didn’t feel like going to church. But as I thought about the fact that everything in this world is temporary, God quietly reminded me not to worry about all the things happening around me.
Our world is complicated with many distractions, but God wants us to keep praying and avoid temptations. God also promises to provide for us if we ask with faith. It’s okay to ask for what we need to live, but God is more interested in giving us spiritual gifts. When we pray and give thanks each day, we focus on our spiritual well-being. With God’s help, we can let go of our obsession with material things and seek spiritual treasures in heaven.
Today’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to recognize the value of seeking spiritual blessings, and guide us to overcome our obsession with worldly possessions. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God has already blessed me beyond my understanding.
Prayer Focus
Gratitude for spiritual gifts
The Upper Room Devotional 24th May 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