A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse February 17, 2018 

As Soon As You Started To Pray Scripture Reading – Daniel 9:20 - 23 (NLT)“I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the LORD my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. He explained to me, ‘Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.” 

Do you notice exactly how it was that Daniel kept on praying? He was not pointing fingers, except at himself as he prayed confessing his own sins and the sins of his people. Much like Jesus has told us to pray that we would be forgiven our sins even as we forgive others.

He did not stop. He did not give up. He kept right on pleading with God. And so should we! For good things will happen both to us and through us as we continue to pray into the plans and purposes of God. For the angel Gabriel suddenly appeared saying, ‘As Soon As You Started To Pray’, a command was given. And so is the power of prayer in our lives my sisters and brothers as we stand and pray in Jesus name according to the will of our Father in heaven!

As we pray we will know the discernment of God. As we open up our hearts, lives and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying, we will have wisdom and understanding poured into and through our lives.

Remember how precious you are to God my friend, so much so, that He gave of His one and only Son your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to purchase, redeem and forgive you of all of your sins.

May those of us who call upon the wonderful name of Jesus Christ listen carefully to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us in our lives and through His Word. That we would keep on praying, keep on trusting, keep on believing and keep on receiving until we see the glory of God. For this is exactly what the Father has purposed and planned for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Prayer Father forgive me, and forgive us in the church for not calling continually on Your name. Use me I pray to be a source of grace and blessing to others I pray in Jesus name.   

Memory Verse:  Mark 12:30 NLT “And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”