Daily Affirmations - Day 6 - According to the Word of the Lord - Our Prayers Touch the World

Day 6: Our prayers touch the world

Jesus cares

When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to Him “They have no more wine” (John 2:3).

O Lord God, our Father in heaven, we cannot possibly trace all Your springs of divine grace, mercy and blessing. We can only exclaim in praise like the apostle Paul, Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33).

But we know from Your movement in our lives and in every sphere of existence, and we know according to Your word, that Your mighty hand moves in response to our prayers. Somehow, in Your incredible, wonderful, gracious, mysterious, infinite wisdom, You have made our prayers a part of Your plan to touch the world, and to let Your kingdom come— on earth as it is in heaven.

We dare not underestimate the privilege, the necessity, the responsibility, the urgency of prayer— the apostle Paul explained to his young intern Timothy that the mandate to pray covers all things, for all things are under Your authority:

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

But it is not only concerning what we consider the major things of life that You respond to our prayers. You have asked us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17 - NKJV), with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:18).

And You show us the encouraging example of Mary coming to her son and Lord with the simple request, "They have no more wine" (John 2:3). Secure and confident in relationship, and in the knowledge of His power and His identity, she made her straightforward, but bold petition.

To us, too, You have given that security, that boldness, that confidence (Hebrews 4:16). You have assured us that The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). And so Lord, as we— covered in the righteousness of Christ— raise our petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people, help us not to overlook the simple, obvious needs around us.

We thank You that we can come to You with our weightiest petitions and intercessions— the burdens that press, the cares that distress. And yet Lord, You do not limit our requests to only these— You are mindful of all that concerns us.

So today, out of the blessing of relationship with You, out of the assurance that no need is too insignificant to You, we bring our petitions for those around us who have run out of resources, those who are empty, those who are in need of replenishment.

Lord, "They have no more wine."

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