Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Prayer: Constant Communion with God

Bible Reading: Acts 12: 5-10

Key verse: (5) So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

DEVOTION

In Acts 12, while Peter was in prison, the church was earnestly praying for him. The night before his trial, Peter, who was heavily guarded and in chains, was woken up by the angel of the Lord, released from his chains and escaped the prison, running to those he knew were praying for him, to share his testimony. 
In verse 5, the Greek word used here for “earnest,”ektenōs, comes from a verb that means to stretch or extend out. Luke, the author of book of the Acts according to church tradition, paints us a picture of the desperation and intensity the Church prayed with for Peter: a stretching of their prayers, reaching out to the Lord in faith because they knew only He would be able to do what they could not. 
The fervency with which the Church prayed should both inspire and challenge us. We can pray in boldness and confidence, knowing He is immeasurably able to do more than we ask and imagine, according to His power within us (Ephesians 3:20).
Friends, nothing is too hard for our Lord - no obstacle is too complex, no person out of reach, no situation is ever deemed completely hopeless. We are invited to draw near to the One who asks for us to cast our cares on Him, because we can trust and know full well that He will work all things for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
 

PRAYER

“Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in the Name of your Son: Mercifully incline your ear to us who have made our prayers and supplications to you; and grant that what we have asked faithfully, according to your will, we may obtain effectually, for the relief of our necessities and the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Book of Common Prayer 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"Thou art coming to a King,
large petitions with thee bring,
for his grace and power are such,
none can ever ask too much."
- John Newton

Shannon Thomas, Long Island Mar Thoma Church, New York

Christian Education Forum
Diocese of North America of the Mar Thoma Church

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