More or Less – The Presidential Prayer Team

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:16

Thanksgiving and Christmas have passed. The tree is most likely still up in your home. The yearly calendar is coming to the end. It is time to think of goals for 2022. Do you still have that extra weight you vowed to take off this year? How about business or work goals? Relationships? As you know, New Year’s Resolutions that take on an all or nothing approach usually fail. Better to think along the lines of aiming to do more or less of something. Such as, more exercise, less desserts.

When it comes to focus, Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). What does seeking God’s Kingdom look like? A kingdom is where God rules and reigns. How can you better allow God to rule and reign in your life? More prayer, Bible study, and worship? Less YouTube, television, or social media? Whatever it is, seek the Lord’s guidance as to the changes He would have you make in the coming year. Or habits He wants you to keep.

Today’s verse says to make the best use of your time because the days are evil. As you set goals for the new year, ask God to help you make the best use of the time He has given you. Pray for the citizens and leaders of the nation to consider God’s will in the decisions they make and the goals they set for 2022.

Today’s Verse: Ephesians 5:16

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

¹²We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. ¹⁵See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰Do not despise prophecies, ²¹but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²²Abstain from every form of evil.

²³Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.