60 Days of Prayer and Praise
Daily Devotionals
First Baptist Church of Gatesville
David E. Crosby, Pastor
March 16, 2020
Introduction
We are living through a strange and unfamiliar season in our community, our country, and our world. We see the blush of light upon the horizon, but many are uncertain whether the light is waxing or waning, whether the sun is rising or setting.
We want this health crisis to be over yesterday, but it will not fade until some future tomorrow. Meanwhile, we are anxious about our health and wellbeing, about the future for ourselves and the ones we love, and for our personal finances. We are lamenting some past decisions and celebrating others.
These devotionals are intended to turn us toward the future which belongs to God. It is my small effort to increase our faith and to intensify our prayer life as individuals and as the church of Jesus Christ on mission in a rapidly changing world. We should not be anxious about tomorrow, even when it is the year 2020, the year of COVID-19. Jesus said that each day has enough trouble of its own. He urges us to enjoy the Father’s peace no matter what comes as the world turns.
Jesus also taught us how to use stories to bring home spiritual truths. Most of the stories to follow are vignettes of my life as a father, a pastor, and the second of 13 children. I wrote them over a period of years and edited them for this devotional series. They are glimpses into my life and maybe into yours.
If you read the scripture reference, the daily devotional will take approximately nine minutes to complete. I hope these stories will make you smile, give you hope, and help you get ready for whatever is coming.
What a great day to begin a new commitment in prayer. I remember a Sunday morning, ages ago, when a missionary tapped me on the shoulder and asked me if I needed to pray. He could see the distress in a child’s face.
I moved out of the wooden pew and made my way to the altar rail in our little church in Hawley, Minnesota. I knelt in prayer, asking God to direct my life and offered myself to him however he wanted to use me. We used the prayer rail frequently in our church, and I was not conscious that other people were watching me--only God--and I was intent on pleasing him alone.
Reflecting now, I see that day as a significant part of my journey toward discovering God’s purpose in my life. I cannot remember all the details of the moment, but I picture in my mind a young boy, hands folded, knees resting on a red cushion at the prayer rail, his feet protruding out upon the hardwood floor. I see his head bowed, and I hear his whispered prayer of petition: “Lord, show me what to do, and I will do it.”
The heart of prayer is simply acknowledging God as Lord and offering ourselves to him. Without such surrender, our words are only empty noises.
Recognize in prayer today that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, and submit yourself to him. Then commit this season of the coronavirus to him. You do not know all the future holds, but God does. He did not need the morning news to get His update. He knows the end from the beginning. All that we worry about he has under complete control.
Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34
Prayer Emphasis: Oh God, let your peace abound among the members of First Baptist Church and throughout our city and our world in this season of crisis. Give us serenity in place of our anxiety, and faith in place of our fear. Prepare my heart and our church for our assignment as your people in this strange time.
