Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
Acts 10:1-16. Cornelius…was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon…he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God…and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.”
How can our prayer become effectual?
If our prayers are merely words directed at God, they are—well, merely words.
What we pray for must first be already begun in ourselves. If we would pray for peace, we must already be peacemakers. If we would have forgiveness, we must already be forgiving.
Some are so advanced as to pray for their enemies. To make this effectual we must first consider: has my enemy something against me? Am I willing to amend that offense of mine so that we may be reconciled? It is no use to pray for our enemies if we are looking down upon them.
Our actions must go in the line of our prayers. It would baffle anyone—even God—to hear someone say, “I am coming toward you” who all the while was walking in the opposite direction. “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” (1940)
PRAY for the Diocese of Georgia (Province IV, USA)
Ps 119:1-24 * 12, 13, 14; Job 6:1; 7:1-21; John 7:1-13
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
