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Devotional for April 22, 2020

Prayer and Praise

 "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise." (James 5:13 NIV)

 Several of these devotionals have been about asking God for help, and emphasizing the need to pray in this kind of crisis. As well we certainly ought to. However, there is more to a relationship with God than simply asking for His help all the time: there is also remembering how good He is and how kind He is to us.

 In the midst of this crisis, how often have we paused to praise? How often have we stopped, in the midst of the "new normal" caused by the pandemic simply to thank God for what He has done for us, and what He has given us. How often have we taken time to remember how God has brought us through the last few weeks, and what He has given us in the meanwhile?

 What are you thankful to God for today? What has He done for you that you especially want to thank Him for? How has He blessed you in an unexpected way in the midst of this pandemic? How has He kept you going, and how has He kept your family and friends going? How has He shown you His love? How has He been present with you? Take time today to praise God and how good He is!

 Dear God, thank you for helping me, and thank you for being with me, blessing me, and sustaining me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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