Daily Devotional

Trusting God’s Word

10/03/23 – 10/07/23

The Testimony of Fulfilled Prophecy

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/05/23

Read 2 Peter 1:19-21.

The Bible is a special book because it is filled with the very words of God, not merely the wisdom of human beings. Is it any surprise, then, that the Bible is filled with prophecies, many of which have already come true and affirm the trustworthiness of Scripture?

Way back in the book of Genesis, God told Abraham, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there” (Genesis 15:13). Guess how long the Israelites were in Egypt. Four hundred years, just as God declared.

And then there was Daniel, who interpreted a dream that, from his place in time, described the next five hundred years. Daniel even saw the rise of the Roman Empire. And then, in his vision, Daniel saw a great stone—one not cut by human hands—and this stone came and smashed all the empires that came before. This stone grew and grew and filled the whole earth. He saw the Kingdom of God hundreds of years before Jesus announced its arrival (see Daniel 9:25-27). Today, the Kingdom of God continues to spread across the world as missionaries bring the Good News of salvation to the ends of the earth—for His is the victorious, everlasting Kingdom.

Daniel got a wide-angle view of the future, but many others saw intimate details of the life and ministry of Jesus—the pinnacle of all prophecies. There are many passages about Jesus coming from heaven, dying on a cross, rising again, and ascending to glory, but there are four detailed passages (in addition to Daniel’s prophecy) that were fulfilled with such accuracy and clarity that they are indisputable evidence for the trustworthiness of Scripture: Micah 5:2 describes Jesus’ birthplace of Bethlehem; Jeremiah 23:5-6 tells us the Messiah will come from David’s royal line; Isaiah 53 depicts Jesus’ terrible suffering on Good Friday; Psalm 16:8-11 reveals His bodily resurrection. Moreover, there are twenty Old Testament prophecies about Jesus that were all fulfilled in a single twenty-four-hour period!

No matter how many times the Bible’s prophecies have proven true, there will still be those who refuse to believe the Scriptures can be trusted. They argue that someone must have gone back and changed the earlier prophetic writings to match the fulfillment after it happened—but do you have any idea how ridiculous that is? The Biblical writings are among the most revered, most carefully copied, and most studied texts of the ancient world. Even if such a scheme were possible, it would never have been allowed to transpire.

Friend, the Bible’s prophecies point us to one necessary conclusion: God is the Author of Scripture, and He is the Author of history. He knows the end from the beginning, and He can be trusted. He does what He says He is going to do. Always.

Prayer: Father, I am awed by Your loving revelation of Yourself to us in Your Word. Thank You for the gift of prophecies to bolster our faith in Scripture and give us sure hope for the fulfillment of Your promises about our future. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

Trusting God’s Word

10/03/23 – 10/07/23

The Testimony of the Bible

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/04/23

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

More than two thousand times in the Bible’s pages, we read, “Thus says the Lord.” The Bible testifies to its truthfulness by appealing to its divine Author.

The Bible contains sixty-six different books written over a span of about sixteen hundred years. These sixty-six books were written by forty different writers, and the backgrounds of these writers vary tremendously. There were doctors and shepherds, prophets and kings, statesmen and lawyers, priests and tax collectors, tentmakers and fishermen. As you would expect, these people held various opinions and worldviews, especially when you consider they wrote over such a vast time period. And yet, together they produced a unified book—unified in doctrine, ethics, and vision. It’s actually mind-boggling when you think about it. So many people over so many years, and yet they penned a single, unified narrative: the story of God’s divine redemption.

The unity of the Bible is not superficial or forced, either; it is profound and organic. The seeds that were sown in the very beginning, when the first books of the Bible were written, grew into a huge tree so that by the time you get to the book of Revelation, the fruit has ripened. And yet the Bible is one enormous tree, one grand narrative without contradiction. There is only one logical explanation for the unity of the Bible: Behind those forty human writers, there was a perfect, sovereign, divine God, who guided their minds and their hands.

Even so, over the years many people have tried to disprove the Bible through archaeology—and yet time and time again, archaeology has only confirmed the history the Bible teaches, down to the smallest details.

You see, the Bible is reliable—and it reveals “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). If it were only a collection of made-up stories without any real power, the devil would not oppose it the way he does. There are places in the world where the Bible is shredded, burned, and forbidden. In many countries, a person would be arrested if a Bible were even found in their possession. The Bible bears such intense hatred because it was authored by the Holy Spirit, and He has the power to utterly transform a soul from a citizen of this world to a citizen of heaven.

Prayer: Father, Your Word is amazing. Help me to understand the full narrative of Scripture, that I might take deep joy in Your good will for me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Trusting God’s Word

10/03/23 – 10/07/23

A Plan for Victory

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/03/23

Read Matthew 5:17-19.

There’s one whose authority far surpasses even the most distinguished and celebrated academic. Jesus Christ—God of very God, who existed from before eternity—was an eyewitness to all the events that took place in the Old Testament. He was there at creation. In fact, it was through Him that all things were created. And when He lived among us, when He walked the streets of ancient Israel, He affirmed that the Bible is the very Word of God.

As the Son of God, Jesus has perfect integrity—even non-Christians agree on the blazing integrity of Jesus—and yet He never said, “Well, you know the story of Noah and the flood? Well, that’s just an allegory.” He never said, “Jonah and the whale? Well, that was nothing more than a fish tale. It shouldn’t be taken literally.” Instead, time and time again, He stood upon the Word of God.

When Jesus was being tempted by Satan, He did not try to debate Satan’s theology, nor did He go after Satan’s credentials. Instead, He rebuked him with Scripture. And Satan never tried to discredit the Word of God. He never refuted it. He actually quoted it, twisting its words, yes, but using it all the same. And the Bible tells us that the demons believe and tremble (see James 2:19).

In Matthew 5:18, Jesus said, “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Jesus upheld every jot and tittle of the Hebrew Scriptures, and He understood that they spoke of Him: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

But what about the New Testament? In John 16:13, Jesus told His disciples, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” And right on schedule, the Holy Spirit of God came on the Day of Pentecost. In the years that followed, He guided the apostles in the writing of the New Testament.

Let me tell you something: Either Jesus told the Truth about the Bible or He didn’t. If we accept that Jesus is who He says He is, then we must accept the Truth of Scripture—all of it.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that Your Word is trustworthy—affirmed by my Savior, who conquered death. Empower me by Your Spirit to walk according to Your Word. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18).

The Cost of Following Christ

09/25/23 – 10/02/23

A Plan for Victory

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/02/23

None of the heroes of faith we learn about in Hebrews 11 would have experienced victory with a weak, ineffective faith. Each of them was courageous in their faith because they knew the enormity of God’s power and trusted that He would follow through on His promises. They knew that if God commanded them to act in battle, then God had a plan for victory. God’s plans may not always make sense to us, but if God is truly speaking, then we must follow in obedience.

Can you imagine what Joshua must have felt walking in circles around Jericho? Or what Gideon must have felt facing an army “thick as locusts” (Judges 7:12)? Yet they followed through with God’s plan because they had courageous faith.

Only courageous faith will keep us going when we are puzzled by our circumstances, suffering for our choices, and walking through the valley. Following God’s plan will not always be easy, but we can trust that the all-powerful God will continue to equip us, guide us, and strengthen us in our battles.

We must always trust in the good and holy God who will never make a mistake. We must persistently believe in the sovereign hand of God, who is working all things “for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). We must continuously call on Him in prayer and follow Him with all our hearts. We must remember that even in our suffering we are victorious because our eternal dwelling place is in heaven. No matter what situations or enemies we face, we can be confident because Christ has won the greatest victory—and that is a great foundation for courageous faith.

Prayer: God, thank You for the examples of courageous faith found in Your Word. Help me to always trust You and Your plan for victory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory” (Deuteronomy 20:4).

The Cost of Following Christ

09/25/23 – 10/02/23

Costly Obedience

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/01/23

The Bible tells us about numerous people of faith who experienced persecution because they stood for God’s Truth. “Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated” (Hebrews 11:36-37).

It would have been easy for these people to conform to the world’s pressures in order to escape persecution, but they remained obedient to God. Their obedience was costly, but they found strength in their faith and in God’s promises. We can find inspiration in their examples when we are confronted with the choice between obedience to God and conformity to the world.

We may not face the same extreme obstacles that the people of the Bible experienced or the violent persecution that people in many countries are enduring today. But we do feel deep rejection when a friend stops inviting us to social events because our godly behavior and demeanor set us apart. We do feel the pressure of a suffering career when we refuse to follow unethical business practices. We do feel harassed and humiliated when a co-worker makes us the subject of jokes and snide comments. We do feel tension when a neighbor criticizes Christianity or uses God’s name as a profanity—but we must not let these challenges keep us from standing firm in Christ. In these moments, we can look to the Holy Spirit, who will show us how to respond.

Prayer: Father, I am grateful that I am not faced with the extreme, violent persecution that so many believers in other countries are dealing with today. Yet I do struggle with feelings of rejection and pressure from unbelievers in my life. Help me in those moments to remember those who have gone before me and have stood strong in the face of persecution. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

The Cost of Following Christ

09/25/23 – 10/02/23

Hindrances in the Race

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/30/23

As we run this marathon of faith, we need to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). Excess baggage and weight will only hinder our marathon and will lead to tired and ineffective running. These added weights could be feelings of anxiety, worry, bitterness, or greed. Our weights could be unconfessed sins or doubts about God’s power. These hindrances can slow our race down to a halt. We can look at the examples of the faithful in Hebrews 11 and realize that they overcame many obstacles and weaknesses. They overcame, and so can we.

One of our greatest hindrances is our preoccupation with ourselves. Instead of staying focused on the road that we are running, we begin to compare ourselves to other runners. We begin looking to our sides and behind us, instead of keeping our eyes forward. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, who stands at the finish line waiting for us to complete the race. He should always be the focus of our faith because He is the giver and wellspring of faith.

Jesus Christ Himself is our greatest role model for finishing the long marathon. During His life on earth, He endured opposition, ridicule, scorn, blasphemy, torture, and betrayal. Yet Jesus endured because He was motivated by the glory and the joy that were awaiting Him in heaven. Jesus’ prize is our prize. When we finish the marathon, we will find our rewards in heaven. That should be enough motivation to keep us running, persevering, and moving forward.

If you are feeling weak, tired, and unmotivated—fix your eyes upon Jesus. He is the greatest role model of faith and wants to motivate you, encourage you, and equip you in your race.

Prayer: Father, help me to throw off anything that is hindering me in my marathon of faith. Help me to stay focused on You and to follow Your example. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:3).

The Cost of Following Christ

09/25/23 – 10/02/23

Focusing on Our Heavenly City

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/29/23

Abraham realized God had a greater plan for his life. Therefore, he shifted his focus from the world around him to the world that was yet to come. The same should be true of us.

The trials we face in this earthly life cannot compare to the glory that one day will be ours. But we can taste heaven on earth now. Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are adopted into the family of God. Our names are not only written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, they also are recorded in the eternal census records of God’s Kingdom.

With our citizenship no longer tied to this world, we can live with a sense of eternal hope for the future. Take time to read the entire chapter of Hebrews 11, and you will discover that Abraham is not the only one whose life was changed by devotion to God.

One aspect of Abraham’s faith that set him and other Old Testament believers apart from New Testament believers is found in Hebrews 11.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. . . . Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13, 16).

He has prepared the same city for you. Because Jesus Christ has saved you from your sins, you can enjoy a touch of heaven on earth as you worship and live your life for Him each day.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your gift of salvation. Teach me all I need to know about You and allow me to serve You today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, . . .” (Philippians 3:20).

The Cost of Following Christ

09/25/23 – 10/02/23

Qualified by Obedience

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/28/23

For decades, Noah followed God’s command to build the ark. This boat was no small project—it was longer than a football field, was four stories tall, and contained multiple decks. Noah must have been perplexed at the thought of building a large boat in the middle of a land-locked region. For more than one hundred years he experienced scorn and mocking from neighbors who thought he was insane and delusional. Noah must have spent countless hours and resources in building the ark year after year. Yet he continued to follow God’s plan.

Noah had no ship-building experience. He was not a mariner or even a coastland dweller. Noah seemed the least qualified to build the ark, yet God chose Him, not because God was looking for an expert craftsman but because He wanted someone faithful and obedient. The Scripture describes Noah as “a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9). God was less concerned with skill and more concerned with obedience.

Today, God is still calling those of us who will act in faith and bring glory to His Kingdom, even if we feel unqualified for the job. Whenever God calls us to a task, He will equip us and empower us to complete that task. God did not give Noah the ark project without any aid. Though Noah had no ship-building experience, God gave him the necessary instructions (see Genesis 6:14-16). Many experts consider the ark the most stable ship in all of history.

When God gives us a plan, He will only give us the best plans that lead to the greatest glory for Him. God may be calling you to a task that seems insurmountable. You may feel like Noah—trying to build an ark in the middle of the desert with no ship-building experience and little support from others. If God has directed you toward a certain project or action, you can trust that God will give you everything you need to complete the task.

Prayer: God, I don’t feel qualified for the work to which You have called me, but I am trusting that You will provide everything I need. Help me to have the heart of a willing servant. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

The Cost of Following Christ

09/25/23 – 10/02/23

Faith That Leads to Obedience

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/27/23

Sometimes God calls us to work that requires us to give up something we hold dear. Other times He asks us to step out of our comfort zones in order to share His Gospel with others, whether one on one with a neighbor or by speaking to a large group. It is natural to feel some resistance to the difficult and self-sacrificing tasks that God calls us to, but in the end, we must obey God.

Read Genesis 6 and 7. Can you imagine the concerns and questions that Noah had when God told him to build the ark? Regardless of any misgivings Noah may have felt, Scripture clearly tells us that “Noah did all that the LORD commanded him” (Genesis 7:5).

Genuine faith can only be demonstrated by obedient action. If we truly trust in God and His Word and promises, then we will fully obey Him. Anyone can say they have faith, but the people who actually live by faith will act in obedience to God no matter where God leads them. Noah’s faith led him to obey God—even in a task that seemed overwhelming and perplexing

Prayer: God, help me to have the kind of faith that Noah had—faith that leads to obedience no matter how overwhelming the task. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

The Cost of Following Christ

09/25/23 – 10/02/23

Courageous Faith

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/26/23

Courage is one of the greatest manifestations of faith. Courageous faith is confident that God cannot and will not make a mistake. Courageous faith knows that God cannot be wrong. Courageous faith is confident that God can never be defeated.

In Hebrews 11:30-40 we are told of several Biblical heroes who demonstrated great courage:

. . . who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. (Hebrews 11:33-34).

Sometimes courageous faith leads to dangerous situations. The people listed in this passage did not always conquer the enemy without any injuries:

Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. (Hebrews 11:36-38).

Even if we experience persecution or hardships because of our faith, we know that God has the ultimate victory. As this passage highlights, God gave His people the victory over the fortified walls of Jericho. He used the least likely people, including a pagan prostitute, to bring about His plans and victories. Gideon was greatly outnumbered, yet he conquered the enemies. Barak trusted in God’s plan, and he vanquished the enemy. Samson accepted God’s call and delivered the Israelites from the Philistines. Jephthah trusted in the power of God, and God gave him the victory. David was able to defeat Goliath because he trusted in the one true God of Israel. Samuel fought the unfaithfulness of God’s children and called a nation to repentance. Prophets like Daniel, who closed the mouths of lions, trusted God and triumphed.

Prayer: Father, help me to have courageous faith. During times of persecution, danger, or hardship, help me to stay committed to You because I know that You have the ultimate victory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. . . . the world was not worthy of them” (Hebrews 11:36, 38).

The Cost of Following Christ

09/25/23 – 10/02/23

The Price of Conviction

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/25/23

God’s Word is filled with the stories of His saints suffering greatly for their faith. But far from discouraging believers today, these lives lived out in enduring faith emit a sweetness that draws us to the Lord Jesus each day.

The author of Hebrews wrote:

I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. . . . There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. . . . These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:32-40).

Making a commitment to follow Christ will cost you, but the rewards are eternal. The Old Testament saints followed God in reckless abandon and considered knowing Him far more valuable than anything the world had to offer.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I have put my desires before Your will and purpose for me. Help me to follow wherever You lead, no matter the cost. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:26).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

For His Renown

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/24/23

God wants to hear big prayers that seek to bring Him “renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations” (Jeremiah 33:9). Yes, God does want to hear our small prayers. He wants us to reveal our hearts to Him and share our concerns and hopes. Yet the prayers that seek to glorify God, to honor Him, to further the work of His Kingdom, to transform the hearts of nonbelievers, to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ, and to reveal His majesty—those are the prayers that are most powerful.

God responds to a heart that is truly devoted to Him and in awe of Him. God knows every inner corner of our hearts. We do not fool Him by saying we want something for His glory when secretly our motivations are selfish. We do not fool Him by saying we believe He can work miracles when inwardly we doubt He will follow through.

When we seek to truly know and understand God and develop a daily relationship with Him, we begin to understand just how big and capable and trustworthy our God is. When we know that God follows through on His promises and He is ready and willing to do big things, we can pray in faith that He will act in big ways. When we understand just how amazing and loving our Creator God is, we will genuinely seek to please Him by praying for things that honor Him. “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:21-22).

Prayer: God, help me to come to You with a heart that is in the right place. Help me pray big prayers that seek to glorify You and reveal Your majesty. May I seek You first and foremost. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

Persistent Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/23/23

We can be optimistic in this life when Christ lives within us. We can find joyful hope when we put our relationship with Christ first and spend regular time fellowshipping with Him in prayer. A close relationship with God will give us joy in the midst of trouble, victory in times of temptation, fruitfulness and blessing in times of uncertainty. A solid prayer life will give us confidence when everything else is crumbling around us.

How persistent is your prayer life? Is prayer the first activity to be cut when your life becomes overscheduled? Do you skip prayer time on the days when you feel tired, ill, or apathetic? Are your prayers half-hearted attempts to fulfill a ritual or appease your guilt?

If your prayer life has been lacking, confess to God today how you have neglected this important aspect of your relationship with Him. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help to guide you in your prayers, to motivate you to spend time with Him, to give you the self-discipline to stay focused in prayer, and to prepare your heart for the presence of God.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for neglecting my prayer life. I pray that You would guide me as I pray and help me make prayer a priority in my life. Thank You for the privilege of prayer. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

Guiding Our Prayer Lives

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/22/23

Have you ever noticed that when you are ready to pray, the phone rings or somebody knocks on your door? How often is your prayer time disturbed by things on your to-do list, with daydreams, or with sleepiness?

Prayer is the most important thing we can do as believers. Through prayer, we communicate with our heavenly Father. We also learn more about Him when we pray. We grow in our faith through prayer. When we pray, we find the encouragement, the strength, and the power we need to face life.

Satan, however, seeks to interfere with the sacred intimacy of prayer. He did not want Adam and Eve to communicate with God in the Garden of Eden, nor does Satan want us to communicate with God. Rather, he seeks to find ways of making us spiritually weak. He knows that prayer is our vital source of power and strength.

When you receive good news or something wonderful happens in your life, do you immediately thank the Lord? Many of us pray only when we are facing a problem. We cry out to the Lord in our pain, but we often fail to praise Him in times of joy. This is when we realize that we have not made prayer part of our daily lives.

Prayer is not to inform, to persuade, to manipulate, or to cajole God. It is the evidence of our love, surrender, obedience, and sincerity before God. He wants to commune with us. When you understand prayer is joyous, intimate fellowship with the Lord, you will want to make prayer a consistent part of your life.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for neglecting prayer and time with You. Thank You for blessing me with an intimate relationship with You. Help me never to neglect my time with You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

Taking Prayer Seriously

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/21/23

Most evangelical Christians today pray the way sailors use their pumps—only when their ship is leaking. When that happens, they work at prayer furiously. The rest of the time they don’t want to know about the discipline of prayer. This type of prayer is called need-driven prayer.

We must take prayer seriously. Here are a few simple directions on the “how” of praying.

Give prayer adequate time. Can you imagine two people in love with each other but who talk only if they need something? No relationship will grow if you get on the phone, give the person a list of requests, then hang up. Yet five minutes is—on average—how long most evangelical Christians spend in daily prayer. Five minutes! Be warned: You will reap exactly what you sow.

Give prayer adequate space. To pray properly, we need to go into a place where we can concentrate without being disturbed. You may think you are the kind of person who can pray at the ironing board, with the television and stereo going, and with a telephone jammed against one ear, but that’s not likely true. When Jesus advised, “[W]hen you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father” (Matthew 6:6), He meant for us to find a place where we can focus on God and not be distracted.

Give prayer adequate attention. To pray effectively, you will have to prioritize your prayer time. This does not tend to be welcome news to people with demanding jobs and small children, but there is no way around it. Prayer should be marked on your calendar.

Consider following Jesus’ example of rising early in the morning for prayer. There is no Scriptural command for this, but it will allow you to offer the firstfruits of your day to God. Of course, early morning prayer does not allow us to switch off afterward. We should pray in every situation because prayer is both a discipline and a lifestyle. It is the most important part of every day.

Prayer: Father, help me to take prayer seriously and to give You the time, space, and attention You deserve. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

God Urges Us to Remember

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/20/23

Do you have people in your life who only talk to you when they want something? Conversations that revolve around the other person’s needs or demands make it hard to develop true fellowship. These one-sided relationships can make us feel used and manipulated.

Often, that is exactly what many of us do to God when we only approach Him in prayer with a need or desire. We give Him our laundry lists of prayer requests without spending any time praising Him, thanking Him for our past blessings, or seeking a relationship with Him. We pray for future events without acknowledging His help in the past. Our forgetfulness is an indication of our ingratitude toward God, and it renders our prayers ineffective.

Yet, none of this shocks God. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows we are a forgetful people. He knows our capacity for ingratitude. He knows our capacity for reinventing the Truth. He knows our capacity for taking credit for His provision.

Throughout the Scriptures we see God reminding His people of His blessings. He often urged them to set up visible memorials of His past provision that would lead them to rejoice in and worship their Almighty God. Without these reminders, the people would forget God’s faithfulness.

What kind of memorial is God calling you to set up today? Ask for God’s help to remain focused on Him throughout the day, that you may abide in Him and pray without ceasing.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for forgetting to take the time to praise and adore You. You have been so faithful to me. Thank You for loving me and saving me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:11-12).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

A Confident Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/19/23

Have you noticed that the higher our expectations, the greater our disappointment when they are not met? Whether our unrealistic expectations are placed in other people, in our own strength, or in specific situations, we will always experience discouragement when things do not go as planned. But when our expectations are placed in the promises of God, we will never be disappointed. His timing may not always be as quick as we would like, and His methods may be different from what we expected, but God will always follow through on His promises.

In Luke 2:25-35, we read about Simeon, who placed his expectations on God’s faithfulness. He had spent his lifetime anticipating the arrival of the Messiah. And because God had told him he would personally see the Christ, Simeon knew that Jesus would be born in his lifetime. After years of waiting and watching, Simeon was ready to be relieved of his post.

When he held the Christ child in his arms, he prayed, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

Simeon’s prayer was a confident prayer. He was not surprised that God had fulfilled His promise. He knew God would remain faithful. Simeon’s expectations were met because they were rooted in the promises of God. God had promised to send the Messiah, so He sent Jesus Christ to earth. Simeon never gave up on God, and God did not disappoint him.

What a contrast to the expectations we place on this world! We place high expectations in the wrong things and the wrong people and are surprised when we end up bitterly disappointed. We forget that the only one who will never disappoint us is God.

Prayer: God, help me to place my expectations in You, not in this world. I know that You will never disappoint me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

Two Views on Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/18/23

When we miss God’s purpose in prayer, we miss God’s best. It is important to know that the purpose of prayer is for God to be glorified.

God is the focus of prayer because, through prayer, God reveals His goodness and power. Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). Indeed, prayer is for God’s glory—not just for our needs. However, when God meets our needs, He is glorified.

There are some who see prayer simply as an action that aligns us with what God has already foreordained. They say there is nothing we can do other than conform to His will. On the other hand, some think that prayer is asking God to do what He would not and could not do without our requests.

Actually, the Scripture teaches both views—and we are under obligation before God to hold both views in tension. The Bible teaches that God is, without a doubt, sovereign. The Bible also teaches that God, within His sovereignty, responds to His people when they pray with a right focus.

Likewise, there are people who are terrified of asking God for anything, but this is not consistent with His will for our relationship with Him or our prayers to Him. Then, others treat God like a bellhop who moves only at their command. Both approaches to prayer are extreme, and both are wrong.

Remember that we are God’s children through Jesus Christ. When children are young—and even sometimes when they are older—they ask for all kinds of things. Do we give them everything they want? Of course, we don’t. We give them what we believe is best for them. If we, as fallen men and women, know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more does our heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him (see Matthew 7:11)? May we grow in faith to bring mature requests to God with hearts that say, “Not my will, but Yours be done, Lord.”

Prayer: Father, thank You that You want to hear from Your children and that You glorify Yourself as You meet our needs. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

The Prayer of Praise

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/17/23

Read Luke 1:46-55

I wish I could step into a time machine and journey back to that day when young Mary, a girl probably no older than fourteen years old, walked the dusty road into the hills of Judea to the home of her cousin Elizabeth. I wish I could be there to see Elizabeth and Mary embrace and to hear the words of the Magnificat from Mary’s own lips, to see the joy of the Magnificat shining in her eyes. What a privilege for Elizabeth to hear this prayer, which would be recited millions of times down through the ages.

Mary faced a crisis that you and I can’t fully understand. But because of her belief in the Word of God, because of her trust in the promises of God, because of her deep and abiding relationship with God, she faced this crisis with confidence and faith.

Mary composed these words out of a heart full of gratitude. God had chosen to bless her among all women by placing in her womb the baby who would become the Savior of the world. The long-promised Messiah would soon be born—and she would be His mother! How could she not praise God for the honor He had given her?

Mary’s prayer exemplifies the lasting power of authentic, Biblical self-esteem and the perfect balance of confidence and humility. The personality of this young teenager was not warped by materialism, corrupted by possessions, or distorted by peer pressure. Her spirit was formed and shaped by a lifetime of immersion in the Word of God. She was committed to trusting in the promises of God and to allowing God to use her life for His glory as He would sovereignly see fit. Her faith is an example to us all.

Mary, who embodied and personified God’s fulfilled promise to the human race, was saying through the Magnificat, “God always keeps His promises.”

Are you willing to trust God to keep His promises to you? Are you willing to magnify and glorify His name above all else? Are you willing to bear witness to His grace, His mercy, and His faithfulness?

Glorify God in all circumstances. Magnify His name at all times. That is the essence of the prayer of Mary, the mother of our Savior.

That is the key to power in prayer.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your steadfast love and forgiveness. Because of Your grace and mercy, I can face any storm, for I know You are with me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name” (Luke 1:48-49).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

The Unanswered Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/16/23

Read Habakkuk 3.

We see a great Old Testament example of persisting in prayer in the three chapters of the book of Habakkuk. Historical clues within the book of Habakkuk suggest that he lived during the reign of Israel’s King Jehoiakim, when the Babylonian Empire was on the rise but before the Babylonians came to lay siege to Jerusalem. The central theme of Habakkuk focuses on the prophet’s effort to grow from a place of doubt and impatience with God to a place of trust in Him, despite God’s apparent delay in answering prayer.

Three features of Habakkuk’s prayer in chapter 3 are particularly worth noting for our own prayer life:

• Habakkuk’s humility before God. The first feature of effective prayer is humility. In chapter one, Habakkuk seems to be lecturing the Lord: “How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (1:2). But by the end of Habakkuk, even in the midst of unanswered prayer, Habakkuk stands in awe of God’s mighty works.
• Habakkuk’s adoration of God. When you pray, ask God to teach you more about Himself because He is worthy of your adoration and obedience. That’s a prayer that will always be honored.
• Habakkuk’s focus on God’s work. Habakkuk prayed that God in His mercy would send a great awakening to Israel. The people of Israel didn’t deserve it; they deserved only the destruction that God had repeatedly warned them was coming. But Habakkuk desired that God would bring revival so that His name would be glorified.

In those times when our prayers seem to go unanswered, we might sink into depression, become angry with God, or give up praying altogether. In the prayer of Habakkuk, we see a very different response to unanswered prayer. We see him ask God, in effect, “What do You want me to learn from this? How can I learn to pray in greater alignment with Your will? Lord, teach me to trust You more.” Habakkuk takes the trial of unanswered prayer and turns it into an opportunity to grow in intimacy with God.

In the prayer of Habakkuk, we find a model of prayer that will protect us from the disillusionment and discouragement that so often accompany God’s delays in answering our prayers.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the example of tremendous faith found in Habakkuk. May I, too, set my heart on You, the God of grace, wisdom, and sovereign power. I trust in You, my Savior and my God; I believe Your promises and will wait on You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

The Prayer of Scripture

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/15/23

Read Jonah 2:1-6.

In the book of Jonah, we meet an ordinary man from Bible times, a plain old Joe named Jonah. He was hardly a hero of the Bible. He was, in fact, more of an antihero.

When God told him to go to Nineveh, Jonah instead headed in the other direction as fast as he could go. Reaching the coastal city of Jaffa (or Joppa), Jonah boarded a ship bound for Tarshish. He did not reach his destination. Instead, he ended up in the last place he ever thought he would be: the belly of a great fish.

Was there ever a more reluctant and disobedient prophet in the Bible than Jonah? But Jonah had one thing going for him. When he was in the belly of the fish, Jonah got serious with God and prayed for all he was worth.

If you have been through a storm in your life, if you have found yourself in the belly of the beast, if you are suffering as a consequence of disobedience or even through no fault of your own, then the prayer of Jonah is for you.

It’s important to notice something about Jonah’s prayer: Out of his watery grave, Jonah prayed the Scriptures back to God. Again and again in this passage, Jonah prays the promises of God as they have been given throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, especially in the book of Psalms.

Jonah didn’t know how God would deliver him or when God would deliver him or even if God would deliver him alive. He simply trusted that God, by His own sovereign choice, would deliver him from the belly of that fish.

Whenever you are in the belly of the beast, and you don’t know how you should pray, pray the Scriptures. Pray His promises: “Lord, You promised that I can cast all my cares on You, for You care for me. You promised that You would carry my grief and sorrows. You told me not to fear because You are with me.”

Jonah’s prayer is for any of us going through a stormy trial. It doesn’t matter whether our actions caused the storm or whether we are innocent victims. Jonah’s prayer is a powerful reminder that, even if we forsake God, He never forsakes us.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your steadfast love and forgiveness. Because of Your grace and mercy, I can face any storm, for I know You are with me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit” (Jonah 2:6).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

Seeking God’s Will

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/14/23

As we close out our study on the effective prayers of Daniel, we learn about the importance of knowing God’s Word and consistently responding in obedience.

Pray the will of God. How can you be assured that you are praying for God’s will (and not your own) to be done? Jesus said that we are to seek first the things of God and that God would respond by taking care of our needs (see Matthew 6:25-33). Immerse yourself in the Word of God. The more you know the mind of God, the more you will begin to understand what He wants for your life. As you pray for specific requests, always check them against Scripture. You can be sure God’s desires for you will never go against His Word. As you read God’s Word and study it, ask the Lord to give you a greater awareness of specific promises that He wants you to pray about and believe.

Effective prayers. We must pray with praise on our lips, a confession of our own faults, and with a petition that God will act in the way that accomplishes His purposes and brings Him glory. And then, we must listen very closely to what God may lead us to say or do and step out in faith to obey. God uses individual people to accomplish His purposes. Be willing to be used. As you pray, never lose sight of this Truth: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Continue to pray, knowing that at God’s appointed time, your harvest will come.

Prayer: Father, help me spend more time in Your Word so that I will be better equipped to pray Your will. Help me respond in obedience when I sense You leading me to do something. And help me not give up! I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands” (Psalm 119:60).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

Praying for Mercy and Action

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/13/23

As we continue to learn from the prayers of Daniel, we’re reminded of how reliant we are on God’s love and forgiveness.

Appeal for mercy. Daniel appealed to God’s mercy, saying, “Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, . . . For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. . . . We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy” (Daniel 9:16-18). Acknowledge to God that you do not deserve His blessings, but you receive them because He is a merciful and loving God. Humble yourself before God, realizing that your strength and success come from Him alone.

Petition for God to act. Daniel very specifically asked the Lord to take action: “Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” (Daniel 9:19). Daniel’s prayer was not selfish in nature, but he prayed for the Lord to show Himself strong so that the Lord might receive glory on this earth. We are to pray that God will act in a way that brings Him the greatest glory and in a way that most profoundly demonstrates that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Prayer: God, as I humble myself before You, I realize that I don’t deserve Your blessings, but I am grateful that You are a merciful God. Apart from You, I am nothing. God, I pray that You would take action, showing Yourself strong, so that You would receive all praise and glory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name” (Psalm 119:132).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

Daniel’s Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/12/23

We can see how effective the prayers of a righteous person are through the Old Testament prophet Daniel. His prayers provide a model for us to follow. Read his powerful plea to God in Daniel 9:4-19. Now let’s take a look at the key components of his prayer.

Start with praise. Daniel began his prayer by praising God. His focus was not on himself, but on God’s greatness. He prayed to “the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (Daniel 9:4). He acknowledged God as absolutely righteous, but also merciful and forgiving. Begin your own prayers with praise and thanksgiving to God.

Praise Him for His glory, His power, and His love. Thank Him for your salvation, your many blessings and glorious promises, and His daily provision in your life. Spend time just adoring God. We must remember that prayer is not just a means of getting what we ask for—it is fellowship with God. When we pray, we are investing in an intimate, personal relationship with Him.

Confess your sins. Daniel confessed that Israel had sinned. He didn’t try to dismiss, justify, or sidestep the fact that Israel had made a grave error. He didn’t make excuses to God but took responsibility. Daniel stated up front in his prayer, “[W]e have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws” (Daniel 9:5).

When you go to God in prayer, don’t play the blame game when it comes to your sin. Acknowledge any element of sin or wrongdoing—intentional or unintentional—related to the situation or circumstance. When God reveals sin in our hearts, His ultimate desire is to reconcile us to the fullness of a right relationship with Him.

Prayer: God, I want to praise You today for Your love and for the gift of salvation. Thank You for giving us Your Word to provide examples like Daniel for us to follow. Forgive my sins, my Redeemer. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!” (Psalm 18:46).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/04/23 – 09/24/23

The Prayer of Faithfulness

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/11/23

Read Daniel 9:1-19.

The Old Testament prophet Daniel became an advisor to kings because of who he was in secret on his knees before God.

Daniel was born in the land of Judah during a time when much of the nation had fallen away from God. He was a teenager when God permitted the forces of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to lay siege to Jerusalem.

Along with much of the population of Jerusalem, Daniel and his friends were shackled and led away in chains to Babylon, where they became servants in the royal court of Nebuchadnezzar. Exiled to a foreign land, Daniel stood his moral and spiritual ground, as evidenced in his willingness to die in the lions’ den rather than stop praying.

Whenever you see a person standing firm for God, you’ll find that they first bent the knee to God in prayer. When God’s people refuse to compromise their faith, when God’s people persistently, consistently, and obstinately go to their knees in prayer, big things happen. Future history changes. Everything that was notable about Daniel flowed from his daily time with God. People who spend time with God every day can’t help but be changed.

We see this in Daniel’s remarkable prayer in Daniel 9, when the Jewish people had been in exile in Babylon for nearly seventy years. Daniel pleads with God through confession, intercession, and petition.

When you pray, remember Daniel’s prayer. Remember that the same God who answered Daniel’s prayers has promised to answer your prayers. Remember that the same God who foretold the outline of future history to Jeremiah and Daniel is in control of your future as well. You can trust Him with your future because He is the one who announced the return of His people to Israel after seventy years of exile, then moved the king of Persia to send them home—precisely on schedule. And He is the one who announced the coming of the Messiah, then sent Him into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday—precisely on schedule.

History never catches God by surprise. When we pray, we become partners in the fulfillment of His eternal plan. So pray like Daniel, rely on God’s promises, and prepare to be amazed.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the honor of serving Your Kingdom through prayer and obedience. Help me to be faithful in these callings so that by my witness of trust in You, many might see Your goodness and Truth and be saved. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” (Daniel 9:19).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.