If I Get One More Call…
Today’s Verse:
Psalm 55:22 ESV
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Yesterday afternoon, my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the caller, so I let the call go to voicemail. Ten minutes later, I checked my voicemail and listened to the message. It was from the blood bank, asking me to schedule a donation. Over the past year, I’ve tried to let them know that, due to my chemotherapy treatments, I can’t donate blood. Despite this, I’ve never been removed from their call list. Do I get angry that I keep getting these calls? No. I’m sorry that the callers keep trying to schedule me for a donation, but there’s nothing I can do about it right now.
Over time, I’ve heard many people who answer phone calls to solicit financial donations or other forms of help. It drives them absolutely crazy! As more and more people receive these calls, we all wonder about the Federal Do Not Call list we all signed up for in the past. Apparently, that doesn’t work.
So, what do we do? Complain endlessly about these endless string of calls offering better insurance rates, a new car warranty, or better internet? No.
I have an idea: what about praying? This week, we’re going to look at some Bible verses that encourage us to pray to our Father in heaven, something many of us don’t do regularly. There are times in our lives when our stress levels rise to ridiculous levels, including those times when we answer one of those “junk calls” on our phones. When we get them, how about saying a prayer? We won’t ask God to cut the phone lines of the people calling. Instead, we ask our Lord for patience and peace. Today, let’s make this idea of praying when we’re stressed a part of our Mondays.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, as I start my week, be with me through all that is placed in front of me, that in all, I have patience to deal with stressful situations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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