I struggled with the concept of prayer for years until I became a mother. Once I became an adult, I began to notice the people around me who prayed consistently yet still didn’t fully understand why or more so why prayer is so important. Be it, the elders in my family, certain friends or acquaintances, even employers. I am fortunate to have had two very influential employers who showed me not only the importance, but also the power in prayer. Working at a lumber mill in Arkansas years ago, the owner and his wife held a prayer meeting before every shift. Although I’m sure there were many reasons why, I didn’t occur to me how dangerous the job could be if we weren’t careful. Before eventually working my way up to operating the saw with the men, I was a wood grader checking the pieces of wood for defects as the quickly came down the conveyor belt. One day, in my haste to get to my break, my long flowing braid extensions were caught in the conveyor belt, nearly scalping me. Fortunately, I was able to free myself without any injury or physical damage. That was only one of the many occasions, looking back, that I am thankful to know the power in prayer. Another employer we referred to as Big P, who I worked with for many years later, would never leave my presence without praying for me or with me. Still my brother in Christ today, whenever we see one another or simply a quick phone call, we never depart before he prays, and I have to testify that it is the best feeling ever!

There have been so many times over the years when I sought answers or advice from family or friends who either simply don’t have the answer or sadly don’t have your best interest and only want to spread gossip. Seeking counseling has been another option. For confidentiality reasons, I figured this may be a safer and more effective route. However, it’s a hard for someone who has not walked in my shoes to give me the answers I’m seeking. While there are good people out there, family professionals and otherwise, only God truly knows us and He is the one who holds all the answers to our prayers.

Since recently becoming a member at my new church home, I’ve not only learned a lot about prayer, but also different methods of prayer. There are those who pray in solitude for whatever reasons, as I did mainly because It was my way of developing a relationship with God and getting to know Him. Then I learned about “Intercessory” prayer: Praying on behalf of others. For those like me who at a time, didn’t feel comfortable prayer or for some reason felt I didn’t know how to pray, I can now see why and appreciate those who were/are praying for me. There is also “Corporate” prayer: Praying together with other people. Be it in a work environment, church or nationwide via social media. There is power in numbers!

(From Our Daily Bread Devotional May, 4th 2023 by Jennifer Benson Schuldt)

When my son needed orthopedic surgery, I was grateful for the doctor who performed the operation. The doctor, who was nearing retirement, assured us he’d helped thousands of people with the same problem. Even so, before the procedure, he prayed and asked God to provide a good outcome. And I’m so grateful He did.

Jehoshaphat, an experienced national leader, prayed too during a crisis. Three nations had united against him, and they were coming to attack his people. Although he had more than two decades of experience, he decided to ask God what to do. He prayed, “[We] will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us” (2 Chronicles 20:9). He also asked for guidance, saying, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12).

Jehoshaphat’s humble approach to the challenge opened his heart to God’s involvement, which came in the form of encouragement and divine intervention (vv. 15–17, 22). No matter how much experience we have in certain areas, praying for help develops a holy reliance on God. It reminds us that He knows more than we do, and He’s ultimately in control. It puts us in a humble place—a place where He’s pleased to respond and support us, no matter what the outcome may be.

Reflect: How has prayer helped you? What current challenge in your life might benefit from prayer?

Pray: How has prayer helped you? What current challenge in your life might benefit from prayer?

Besides dancing, the one thing I love most is to simply laugh. It feels great whether I’m watching comedy, fall and laugh at myself or spending time with my children. Whenever meeting someone that may be of interest, one of the things I look for is his ability to make me laugh. There was a time when that wasn’t an easy thing to do. Years ago, while hanging out with my children, clowning around and talking, we discovered that we all have natural roles in each other’s lives. Apparently, I am the resilient one. Showing them how to break down barriers when one door closes and never giving up. My daughter is truly a child of God. Her faith is always strong, willing to offer a listening ear and finding the answers to our problems in scripture. My G-son, well he’s the tech guy. Between their music, my writing and all the equipment we accumulate that can often be a challenge to figure out, he’s our go-to guy. Not that the other two can’t get it, but perhaps due to his generation, my G-son seems to catch on to the technical stuff much quicker than the rest of us. Then there’s my son. I can always count on him to cheer me up when I’m down and lift my spirits by making me laugh. I appreciate my family and what we all bring to the table as a unit. They say that laughter is the best medicine. I don’t know about that! Yes, it feels great but when my son comes around, he has the ability to make me laugh so hard it hurts at times. You know, the king of laugh that you feel in your back or make you cramp up, get dizzy and lightheaded where you feel near to the point of unconsciousness. Ok, so I may be exaggerating a tad bit, but that’s how great he makes me feel whenever we get together. Which brings me to why this devotional stood out to me and I’m sharing it today, enjoy!

(Our Daily Bread Devotional from April 28th, 2023) By Alyson Kieda

Comedian John Branyan said, “We didn’t think up laughter; that wasn’t our idea. That was given to us by [God who] knew we were going to need it to get through life. [Because] He knew we were going to have hardship, He knew we were going to have struggles, He knew . . . stuff was going to happen. . . . Laughter is a gift.”

A quick look at the creatures God made can bring laughter, whether because of their oddities (such as duck-billed platypuses) or antics (such as playful otters). He made mammals that live in the ocean and long-legged birds that can’t fly. God clearly has a sense of humor; and because we’re created in His image, we too have the joy of laughter.

We first see the word laughter in the Bible in the story of Abraham and Sarah. God promised this elderly couple a child: “A son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir” (Genesis 15:4). And God had said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars . . . . So shall your offspring be” (v. 5). When Sarah finally gave birth at ninety, Abraham named their son Isaac, which means “laughter.”

As Sarah exclaimed, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (21:6). It amazed her that she could nurse a child at her age! God transformed her skeptical laughter when she’d heard she’d give birth (18:12) into laughter of sheer joy.

Thank God for the gift of laughter!

Reflect: When has laughter been “good medicine”? How can finding humor in your life help even in the most difficult times?

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for giving me the gift of laughter.

There was a period during the pandemic where there was a shortage of coins. Some businesses only accepted cards due to not having the change to give back. I began to notice the number of coins on the streets while out during my daily routines. A dime here and there, plenty of pennies and the occasional quarters. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve managed to collect $86.50 minus the quarters because I use them for laundry so there’s none in the case above. Of course some of it came from breaking a dollar or two, but the majority of it I picked it from the ground. My children have asked what I am going to do with all the change or why am I clinging on to it. Simply, I don’t know, and I don’t need it at the moment. Others have asked why is it I have credit cards and rarely use them? Again, I don’t need them at the moment. It’s not “free” money, it still has to be paid back. My children often tease me about hoarding or holding on to certain things like money, photo’s, books, etc. The thing is, I have all that I need and money can’t buy what I desire. My children say I’m due for a vacation. Knowing I have a bit of savings, they don’t understand why I don’t take one instead of clinging on to my money. After reading the passage I’m sharing today, they may be right. I simply feel better being prepared in case of an emergency. God has always provided, and I trust Him whole heartedly, so perhaps I will be planning a trip soon. When I share these passages from the Our Daily Bread devotionals, it’s because for one reason or another they speak to me and the message resonates on many levels.

(Devotional from April 24th, 2023 by Tim Gustafson)

Aunt Margaret’s frugality was legendary. After she passed away, her nieces began the nostalgically bittersweet task of sorting her belongings. In a drawer, neatly arrayed inside a small plastic bag, they discovered an assortment of small pieces of string. The label read: “String too short to use.” What would motivate someone to keep and categorize something they knew to be of no use? Perhaps this person once knew extreme deprivation.

When the Israelites fled slavery in Egypt, they left behind a life of hardship. But they soon forgot God’s miraculous hand in their exodus and started complaining about the lack of food. God wanted them to trust Him. He provided manna for their desert diet, telling Moses, “The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day” (Exodus 16:4). God also instructed them to gather twice as much on the sixth day, because on the Sabbath no manna would fall (vv. 5, 25). Some of the Israelites listened. Some didn’t, with predictable results (vv. 27–28).

In times of plenty and times of desperation, it’s tempting to try to cling, to hoard, in a desperate attempt at control. There’s no need to take everything into our own frantic hands. No need to “save scraps of string”—or to hoard anything at all. Our faith is in God, who has promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Reflect: In what ways do you sometimes take things into your own hands? How has God proven Himself to be faithful to you in the past?.

Prayer: Father, help me to take You at Your word and to trust You with everything.

(From Our Daily Bread Devotional 4-19-2023)

For many around the world, life is getting lonelier. The number of Americans who have no friends has quadrupled since 1990. Certain European countries have up to 20 percent of their population feeling lonely, while in Japan, some elderly folks have resorted to crime so they can have the companionship of inmates in jail.

Entrepreneurs have come up with a “solution” to this loneliness epidemic—rent-a-friend. Hired by the hour, these people will meet you in a café to talk or accompany you to a party. One such “friend” was asked who her clientele was. “Lonely, 30- to 40-year-old professionals,” she said, “who work long hours and don’t have time to make many friends.”

Ecclesiastes 4 describes a person who is all alone, without “son nor brother.” There’s “no end” to this worker’s toil, yet his success isn’t fulfilling (v. 8). “For whom am I toiling . . . ?” he asks, waking up to his plight. Far better to invest in relationships, which will make his workload lighter and provide help in trouble (vv. 9–12). Because, ultimately, success without friendship is “meaningless” (v. 8).

Ecclesiastes tells us that a cord of three strands isn’t quickly broken (v. 12). But neither is it quickly woven. Since true friends can’t be rented, let’s invest the time needed to form them, with God as our third strand, weaving us tightly together.

Reflect: How are you investing time and effort into your friendships? Who could you welcome into your friendship group now?

Prayer: Father, help me to be a good and loyal friend to others.

Moving ranks as one of the biggest stressors in life. We moved to our current home after I’d lived in my previous one for nearly twenty years. I’d lived alone in that first home for eight years before I got married. Then my husband moved in, along with all his things. Later, we added a child, and that meant even more stuff.

Our moving day to the new house wasn’t without incident. Five minutes before the movers arrived, I was still finishing up a book manuscript. And the new home had several sets of stairs, so it took double the time and twice as many movers as planned.

But I wasn’t feeling stressed out by the events of that day. Then it hit me: I’d spent many hours finishing writing a book—one chock-full with Scripture and biblical concepts. By God’s grace, I’d been poring over the Bible, praying, and writing to meet my deadline. So, I believe the key was my immersion in Scripture and in prayer.

Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). When we pray—and “rejoice in” God (v. 4)—we refocus our mind from the problem to our Provider. We may be asking God to help us deal with a stressor, but we’re also connecting with Him, which can provide a peace “which transcends all understanding” (v. 7).

REFLECT: What stressful situations do you need God to give you peace in today? How can praying with thanksgiving transform your mind?

PRAYER: Provider and Protector, I give my concerns to You. May Your peace guard my mind and heart.