Day 11 - Prayer and the Word

By Pastor Tim Escamilla

Acts 6:4

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

Prayer and the Word are two places in which I am spending a lot of my time! During this dedication, what are some of the ways in which you feel led to dedicate yourself to the Lord? Today, as I was dropping the kids off, running errands, and heading out on appointments, I was devoting my freedom to the Lord (from yesterday's post). I was thanking Him for the freedom from bitterness, anger, and hatred He's brought.

It's easy to get really mad when someone almost crashes into you. It's easy to get mad when someone seems to look at you the wrong way. It's easy to get mad when someone cuts in front of you. Each of those things happened today, and by the grace of God, I'm able to say I dedicated my freedom from getting mad to the Lord.  

Today, if the Spirit is urging you, I want to really encourage you to devote yourself to prayer and the Word of God. These are two places in which we connect with the Lord and His will! If you're going through some treacherous times, devote yourself to prayer and the Word. If you're worried about the future, devote yourself to prayer and the Word. If you're more spiritually fulfilled in the Lord than ever before, devote yourself to prayer and the Word! 

When we pray, we allow the Lord to shape us as He wants us to be. When we study the Bible, we allow Him to mold us into who He wants us to be. Prayer transforms our character more into the character of God. Bible study transforms our will into His will. And get this, when we can pray being guided by His word, oh how Spirit-filled it is!!! Pray the Word; proclaim the Word in prayer. These two provide a solid foundation for spiritual discipline. 

For that reason, we will dedicate ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word! 

Pray with me:

"Lord, THANK YOU that I can come to You in prayer! Thank You that You aren't too busy doing other things, but are always available to me. Thank You for preserving and handing down Your word to me. Thank You that I can know Your heart and will by studying Your word. Help me to be devoted to prayer and Your word today! In Jesus' name, amen!"