The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “One Simple Prayer" for Wednesday, 11 February 2015 - Scripture: Romans 8:18-28

The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “One Simple Prayer" for Wednesday, 11 February 2015 - Scripture: Romans 8: A Wonderful Future for God’s People
18 I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us. 19 In fact, all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who his children are. 20 Meanwhile, creation is confused, but not because it wants to be confused. God made it this way in the hope 21 that creation would be set free from decay and would share in the glorious freedom of his children. 22 We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth.
23 The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children.[a] This means that our bodies will also be set free. 24 And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping. 25 However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it.
26 In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. 27 All of our thoughts are known to God. He can understand what is in the mind of the Spirit, as the Spirit prays for God’s people. 28 We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him.[b] They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,[Footnotes:
8.23 to show that we are his children: These words are not in some manuscripts. The translation of the remainder of the verse would then read, “while we wait for God to set our bodies free.”
8.28 God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him: Or “All things work for the good of everyone who loves God” or “God’s Spirit always works for the good of everyone who loves God.”]
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.[Romans 8:28 (NRSV)]
My husband had returned from visiting his father who was in intensive care at a hospital three hours away. Sick for 18 years, my father-in-law seemed finally to be dying. After my family went to bed, I sat down to reflect on the stressful events of the day.
I prayed for my husband and then for other family members who had stayed behind at the hospital. But when I tried to pray for my father-in-law, I realized that I did not know how to pray for him. I couldn’t think of what to say, so I prayed for God’s will for him. I thanked God that I could pray that simple prayer in all situations and trust that God would work all things for good.
I picked up The Upper Room and turned to that day’s meditation. The first words I read were: Jesus prayed, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done . . .” (Matt. 6:10, kjv). The verse was exactly what I needed to confirm that God heard my prayer. I immediately felt peace and a renewed connection with God. I knew that God understood and had received my prayer.
Read more from the author, here.
"Another Devotional Published"
I live near the Everglades, and this photo of an alligator was taken from my backyard.  I enjoy watching the birds and alligators that visit the lake next to my home.
This devotional on February 11, 2015 is the second time that something I've written has been published in The Upper Room.  (Thanks so much, Upper Room!)  The first time was on March 3 in the March/April 2007 edition.  The title was "Lunch with Jesus" based on Mark 6:30-34.  The verse highlighted was Mark 6:31, "Jesus said to his disciples, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"  (NIV).  The prayer focus was for those struggling to find time with God.  At the time, my daughter was three years old and my husband was away traveling for his work.  Our home was full of plumbers due to a difficult repair and the verse about a quiet place resonated with me.  I still find myself struggling to find time to pray although my daughter is 13 now.  The devotional for today is about a time when I could not figure out how to pray, but I was still able to connect with God and experience peace.[Cathy Taylor]
The Author: Cathy Lee Taylor (Florida, USA)
Thought for the Day: God hears our prayers, even when we have no words.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for Jesus’ example of a perfect prayer. Help us to come before you with our burdens and concerns as we pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:9-13, NIV). Amen.
Prayer focus: Those with family in the hospital
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