[Membersandfriends] Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Tue Sep 21 22:01:55 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Wednesday, September 22, 2004

_________________________

The Gift that Lasts All Year

Limited Offer of 2 Subscriptions for the Price of 1!

Deepen the faith of those you love with year-long gift subscriptions to any of The Upper Room's all-ages family of magazines. Take advantage of this special holiday offer, and your gift is worth twice as much.  Learn more and order online: http://www.upperroom.org/about/2for1.asp?ep_id=225
_________________________

BEYOND OUR DREAMS
_________________________

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NRSV)

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

_________________________

The psalmist wrote, "But now, Lord, what do I look for?  My hope is in you."
-- Psalm 39:7 (NIV)
_________________________

AT times, I approach prayer with little or no idea of what I am looking for.  I take comfort in knowing that this is a dilemma I share with others.  The apostle Paul reminded us that on occasion we do not know how to pray.  At other times, especially during personal or family crises, I begin my prayers brimming with confidence, convinced that I know how I want my prayers to be answered.  I am not sure which of these two approaches threatens my prayer life more.

It is important for me to recognize that God is able to do far more than I can imagine or understand.  God's resources are vast, and I tend to confine God within the narrow bounds of my own outlook.  All my ideas about God are inadequate; God alone can teach me who God is.  How vital that I begin my prayer time by reflecting on God's infinite resources!

In prayer, I commune with God, whose loving purposes extend beyond my grandest dreams.

Prayer:  Thank you, God, for the blessings you lavish on your people through Jesus Christ.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
A God small enough to be understood would not be big enough to be worshiped.*

-- Norman Armistead (Northumberland, England)

PRAYER FOCUS: For deeper trust in God

*Paraphrase of Evelyn Underhill

_________________________

RELATED READING ...

A GUIDE TO PRAYER FOR ALL WHO SEEK GOD will become a treasured favorite for those hungering for God as the Christian year unfolds. Each day offers guidance for an opening affirmation, a petition of prayer, and daily scripture selections.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=134063

PLEASE SHARE THIS MINISTRY with a friend. Invite them to sign up for the free E-Mail Devotional by visiting: http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/email/.

_________________________

QUESTIONS?  If you reply to this e-mail, you'll receive an automated message answering our readers' most frequently asked questions.  If your question remains unanswered, please write to us at the special "help" e-mail address you'll find in the automated message.

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.upperroom.org/unsubscribe/

TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS: Visit the My Account page: http://www.upperroom.org/myaccount/. Log in, using your current e-mail address and password. Once logged in your account, click on the "Edit Personal Information" link. Edit your e-mail address and any other information, and click "Update" to complete the change.

FORGOTTEN YOUR PASSWORD? Visit the My Account page: http://www.upperroom.org/myaccount/. Click on "Forgot My Password." Enter your e-mail address, and if there is a password associated with it, the password will be e-mailed to you immediately.
_________________________

The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c) 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.