The Upper Room Devotional 31 May 2026, Sunday Message
Thanking God in Advance
Martha Cusimano (Alabama, USA)
Today’s Reading
Philippians 4:4-7
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. – Mark 11:24 (NIV)
We’ve all prayed prayers that seem to go unanswered, which can make it difficult to fully accept and put into practice today’s verse. We may feel that our prayers haven’t been answered when we don’t get the results we want within the timeline we expect. However, I have found a new way to pray, inspired by Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Mark.
Previously when I prayed, I’d picture the person I was praying for with their current troubles — whether sickness, grief, relationship difficulty, or financial woes — and ask God to help with their needs. Now I begin with asking God to grant the person what they need, and then I thank God for hearing my prayer, trusting that God is at work to fulfill the need in God’s time and way.
When I pray like this, I can more easily picture the person I’m praying for as being healed, comforted in their grief, or freed from some difficulty. Maybe picturing the person with their prayer answered is what Jesus meant when he said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” This new way of praying has strengthened my faith and fills me with joyful expectation. God hears our prayers and will answer them in the way and time that is best.
Thought for the Day
Today I will thank God in advance for answers to my prayers.
Prayer Focus
Those struggling to pray
Today’s Prayer
Dear God, thank you for hearing our prayers. Help us to trust that you love us deeply and will always meet our needs. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 31 May 2026 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