Prayerfully Re-Center around God

Ephesians 1:15-16

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
~ Apostle Paul

Pondering Point

Yesterday’s devotion focused on a lesson about being thankful for people in prayer. We had a short prayer of thankfulness to conclude that day’s devotion. Today we expand that ‘attitude of gratitude’ for people by mirroring one the Apostle Paul’s recorded prayers from Ephesians 1:15-16. In preparation to do so, we engage our Thursday theme of prayerfully Re-centering around God:

Review

Whose faith has influenced you positively, recently and in the not-so-recent past? Who makes a positive impression on you about how they love others regardless of their current situation? Do you express gratitude to other people?

Repent if Necessary

Have you been overlooking others? Have you ignored or belittled others’ contributions, devalued or disparaged others’ actions? Have you simply failed to be thankful for, failed to enjoy, or failed to celebrate people – especially fellow Christians?

Return (as necessary)

Thank God for the reminder to be thankful, then armed with new thoughts of those who have been a blessing to you or those you love, share this adaptation of Paul’s prayer:

Prayer

Thank You Lord for (name) and (name) ! I so appreciate their faith in You and their love for people. They are such a blessing to others in Your name – including me. Strengthen them for continued service in this capacity – and strengthen me too! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.