We Pray For America!
- Roses and Thorns
Know that for those who love God all things work together for good. – Romans 8:28
“I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden,” Lynn Anderson sang in the seventies. The Lord could have a similar sentiment, since He made roses with thorns. God did not promise that life would be easy. In fact, the psalmist states, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19). The apostle James also instructed, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
God does promise “roses,” alongside the thorns. The Lord delivers His people from trouble. He answers prayer and takes care of His people. Jesus taught about the Father’s care by saying that He feeds the birds and dresses the flowers beautifully, though they don’t work for it (Matthew 6:25-34). Christ assured his followers that God values humans! As today’s verse says, the Lord is working everything out for the believer’s good.
Jesus also predicted that, in the last days, troubles would increase (Matthew 24:4-14). However, you can be confident in God and adhere to His mandate to love Him and others and believe in the Lord Jesus. Believers are to support and encourage each other. The apostle Paul wrote, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Pray for Christians in this nation to reach out to those around them and invite others into God’s healing redemption.
Today’s Verse: Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
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: Luke 12:22-31
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
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.
TODAY’S NATIONAL LEADER FOR PRAYER
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- John Phelan, Secretary of the Navy
John Phelan, Secretary of the Navy
- Born – in 1964
- Education – B.A., Southern Methodist University; M.B.A., Harvard University
- Military Service – None
- Profession – Businessman
- Political Experience – Fundraising, Trustee and Foundation chair
- In office since – 2025
- Family – Married to Amy, 1 daughter
- Religious Affiliation – Undisclosed
- John Phelan, Secretary of the Navy
CONTINUE PRAYING WITH US
Read the Daily Prayer Briefing to view the president’s schedule and to pray for the day’s current events.
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