Prayer
April 17, 2026
April 17, 2026 – Daily Devotional
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” -Acts 2:42
I was invited on a mission trip when I was about 25. I was serving as a youth minister at the time, but this trip was for adults. It was a medical mission trip to Mexico. I had been on several missions to Mexico, but never as part of a medical team. I was excited to go, but I really didn’t know what I would be doing on the trip.
I spent most of my time on this mission trip sweeping floors, carrying supplies, and poorly translating for others. We served hundreds of patients in just a few short days. It was an amazing time watching God’s people love and care for others.
One of the more interesting aspects of this trip was that it brought together people from several churches in our community. We had Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, and Catholics. It was truly a blessing to see these churches come together to bless people in a different country. Each person used their gifts to bring health and healing to so many.
On the last afternoon, we were asked to visit a home and assist a person who was sick and unable to leave their bed. A doctor, the Catholic Priest who had come with us from Oklahoma, and I went to the home. The doctor saw to his medical issues, and then we prayed. I can still remember being in that small house, praying with people who spoke a different language and who all attended different congregations. We asked for God’s comfort, grace, and healing that day. There was no doubt in my mind that God was present.
From the very beginning of our faith, prayer has been a central practice. Prayer connects us to God. It allows us to lift our joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Prayer allows us to enter the very presence of God and be reminded of who God is and who God created us to be. During prayer, we find the opportunity to focus on the One who has given us life, faith, and so much more. Prayer draws the church into the presence of God. When we pray, we are transformed.
When Luke records the book of Acts, he writes about how often the church prays. He not only tells us about their practices of faith but also teaches us that we, too, are to pray. Prayer is a gift from God that allows us to fellowship with God.
“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
-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
