Customised Devotions

When I first turned to The Upper Room as a spiritual resource, I was too lazy to look up the scripture readings that begin each day’s meditation (a mistake I’ve since corrected), and I spent little, if any, time praying for those featured in each ‘prayer focus’. But gradually, faith-filled anecdotes and insights shared by believers around the world have touched and transformed my spirit. I have come to love pondering the daily message and praying the prayers.

Recently, I added a new twist to my devotional time. I read the day’s scripture passage, sit back, close my eyes and ‘write’ my own meditation. I think of a situation in my life where the scripture has applied or might be applied. I try to distil my meditation into a ‘thought for the day’ or an action step I can take. And I pray for an appropriate group of people or some part of my own life that especially needs God’s power. Then I go on to finish reading that day’s entry in the magazine. Now I get a double blessing every time I use The Upper Room.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the opportunity to engage with scripture in new ways each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen