May 5

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

In my youth and young adulthood, I attended the First Presbyterian Church in Galveston. A sign reading “Prayer Changes Things” hung on the back wall of the altar. I have forgotten many of my fellow churchgoers of that time, but this truth has stayed with me all these years. Many times in my life, I have witnessed strong evidence of just how powerful prayer can be in changing a desperate or no-win situation and bringing about many blessings. Let us not overlook the word “Thanksgiving” in the Philippians scripture reading. Too often, our prayers are “requests.” We should always include thanks to God for the many blessings He has bestowed on us as individuals and as a church. In Colossians, Paul says “Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” In the Ephesians scripture, Paul ends his letter with a prayer. Let us remember that, through our prayers, God is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.

AMEN.

-Shared by Jo DeHart