God Loves and Enjoys You

In Common Sense Living, Edith Schaeffer recalls being a girl in Shanghai, skipping beside Dr. Hoste, the director of the China Inland Mission. He didn't turn her away, but simply told her he was praying and that she could come along if she wished.

She walked with him a number of times, holding his hand and being very quiet while he prayed. She wrote, "He prayed for each missionary in the China Inland Mission, and for each of their children by name. He had the list with him, and he went through it. It was not just a recitation of names; he cared about each person and knew something of their needs. He felt this was his work."

Sometimes we act as though God's faithfulness to answer our prayers depends upon how we feel instead of remembering that His dependability to hear and answer rely upon His promises, not our feelings. "I don't feel like praying, so what's the use?" we may be tempted to think. We can encourage ourselves to be faithful by remembering verses such as Psalm 116:2: "Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!" (NLT).

"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you" (1 Sam. 12:23).