Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."¹

Ravi Zacharias shares how: "At the historic Amsterdam Conference for Itinerant Evangelists in 1986, a renowned Korean speaker, Billy Kim, told the story of an American soldier hiding in a bunker during the Korean War. When his commander ordered him to rescue some of his fallen mates on the front lines, the soldier nodded his head, took a covert glance at his watch, stalled till his commanding officer was out of sight, and simply made no move. Several minutes went by, and a colleague reminded him of his rescue assignment. Again he looked at his watch and delayed. Finally, he leaped out of the bunker and fearlessly began carrying his compatriots to safety.

"At the end of the day, a friend asked him to explain his actions. The soldier said, 'I was afraid because I knew I was not ready to die. I waited until my fear would be overcome—remembering that at a certain time every hour my mother had said she would pray for me. Then I knew that no matter what awaited me, I could face it.'"²

Prayer does matter. Prayer does change things. Prayer is a powerful means of connecting to God of the eternal. How thankful I am for all who pray daily for us and the Daily Encounter ministry. We may not know what the future holds, but we can be certain that God knows and he cares. How thankful I am that, no matter where they may be, I can pray every day for my loved ones and commit and trust them to God and His care.

As the challenges in this declining world continue, and friends around the world suffer persecution, let us pray faithfully for God's care for all His children, and that the day of Christ's return will hasten so that in God's time all wars, suffering, sickness and starvation, will finally be ended forever. Pray, too, that everyone in the world will have the opportunity to hear the saving gospel of Jesus Christ and accept God's forgiveness and eternal life.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that Your Word encourages us to pray without ceasing. Help me to do this, and also to pray according to Your will so that I will have the assurance that my prayers will always be answered. I pray today for all who are suffering in one way or another. I pray You will protect those who are being persecuted, heal those who are suffering, and be our strength so we can shine the midst of darkness. Let your will be done, not my will. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV).
2. A Slice of Infinity, http://www.sliceofinfinity.org/.

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