A Prayer to Practice What You Preach - Your Daily Prayer - February 27

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A few years ago, I found myself in a season where my Bible sat closed more often than it was open. It's not that I didn't want to spend time with Jesus, I'd gotten out of the groove. I allowed my lack of sleep and lack of "quiet" time to be the reason my previous routine went by the wayside. Then, one day when I grabbed for my phone first thing, the conviction washed over me. If I can grab my phone and check the weather, my email, and my calendar, I most certainly have the time to grab my Bible first. Things changed, my priorities shifted, and God's Word became the first thing in my day. Even if that meant only a few minutes; it had to become a non-negotiable.

Now, I think it's most important to share the way this happens. I'm not opening up my Bible next to a warm cozy fire with candles lit and soft music going. It looks a lot like this: walking to the couch with my eyes squinted, wrapped up in my green fleece blanket, hot coffee in hand, whatever pen was left on top of my notebook, and my Bible. It's not pretty, but it is life…always changing and sanctifying.

I often think about Jesus' words as He describes what it's like when we try to do life apart from Him. John 15:1-5 says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

When I begin my days apart from the One who gives me strength to endure whatever will come my way, I walk with a weariness, my shield is down, and my heart is walking into a battlefield wide open. I feel foggy and confused when things don't go how I thought they would. My reactions tend to be closer to level ten than the level one they should be. My words can be more divisive, short, or sarcastic. And by the time evening rolls around, what started as an unintentional overlook of my time with Jesus quickly turns into a day where my weaknesses plagued every situation.

Thankfully, by the grace of God, He gives us a new day to start all over again. A new morning of new mercies where we can make it the start of a season where we put Jesus first before we allow the world in. When we abide in Christ and set our minds on Him first, we have our swords up, our hearts are bound by His Word, and we are ready to enter into the day the Lord has made. Our reactions and decisions will be more reflective of our Savior.

Let’s Pray:
Father, thank you for the gift of new mercies. I praise you for always welcoming me with open arms when I've spent seasons out of your Word and put the things of this world first. Help me as I look to you each morning and give me a refreshment to take into my day. Build my faith and give me the boldness to share my journey with those around me. In Jesus' name, amen. 

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Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.

Listen to the Your Nightly Prayer Podcast

We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer, where you can sign up to receive it every evening in your inbox. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on God. Check out an episode below:

Struggling with acceptance or feeling misunderstood? Remember, your true identity is found in being fully known and loved by God. Let His unconditional love be your anchor, and rest tonight in the assurance that you are cherished beyond measure. Listen to this episode of Your Nightly Prayer, and if you like what you hear, subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss a new episode!

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